County to issue RFP for solid-waste hauling; commissioners weigh north/south/whole-county options

Lincoln County staff were directed to proceed with a request for proposals for solid-waste hauling after a lengthy Feb. 4 discussion about contract options, service sites and recycling.

Kathy (solid-waste staff) presented the county’s options: solicit a single countywide bid, separate bids for North and South Lincoln County, or offer a single package with three bid options so bidders could propose one or more service areas. She noted regulatory licensing through the Public Service Commission and logistical questions about whether a north-county hauler could legally and economically drop loads in Eureka or would need to haul to Libby. "The current hauling contract expires Nov. 9 of this year. So, we got to get going," she said, urging an RFP timeline that returns bids before budget planning.

Commissioners discussed site schedules, container counts (examples: 15 containers at several north-county sites), possible consolidation to reduce round trips, and the potential cost and maintenance implications of compactors versus rolloffs. Recycling (cardboard and aluminum currently brokered by Evergreen) was proposed as an optional bid item so the county could evaluate costs and benefits. Commissioners agreed to solicit bids and to contact known haulers (including larger regional companies and local operators) and gave staff direction to return the bids for review in time for budget decisions.

No contract award was made at the meeting; the board authorized an RFP that will include the three bid options and optional recycling services. Staff expects to post an RFP promptly and to collect responses for evaluation in the coming weeks.