County solid-waste budget includes Casella reimbursements and expanded composting programs

County department staff briefed PEQ on solid-waste and landfill account lines tied to the county's contract with Casella. The presenter said two county employees working at the landfill are 100% reimbursed by Casella and that Casella pays a $20,000 engineering reimbursement; those pass-throughs affected the expense-by-program presentation. "So all of our lease payments, our revenue sharing payments are all going into those accounts," the presenter said.

Staff noted a retirement reduced salary expense in one line but contractual and professional services increased by roughly $100,000 to support programs planned for 2027 under the local solid waste management plan, including backyard composting expansion (budgeted at $65,000 next year compared with $20,000 historically), community event recycling infrastructure, and feasibility/planning funds. Committee members asked about overtime levels and whether permanent staffing gaps would be filled; staff said some positions would be replaced by Casella employees under the existing arrangement and that some program costs are 100% reimbursed by Casella.