Possible change in landfills sought by two commissioners
Staff reporter
Marion County may consider changing landfill facilities for disposing trash.
Commissioner Randy Dallke asked the commission Monday for permission to pursue information from Reno County. Commissioner Dan Holub was in agreement with Dallke but commission chairman Bob Hein said he was reluctant because he recalled the county's experience three years prior when it sought a contract for waste disposal. He said Hamm Sanitary Landfill near Perry offered the "best deal."
Dallke said he had been contacted by Reno County officials regarding Marion County dumping at Hutchinson.
The discussion was a result of county transfer station manager David Brazil requesting permission from the commission to renew a contract with Robinson Trucking of Florence for hauling the county's solid waste to the landfill near Perry.
Currently, the county pays Robinson Trucking a flat rate per trip plus a surcharge of one cent per loaded mile when fuel costs are $1.50 per gallon or more.
Holub asked Brazil if it would be less expensive if the county hauled its own trash.
"If McPherson County opened a landfill, I could see the county doing its own hauling," said Brazil.
Brazil said he had no problem with looking at other options but informed the commission that the county had a contract with the Perry landfill through 2008.
He added that the Perry location was "safer" because of the composite of the soil. Holub said Marion County wasn't in the business of monitoring landfills.
"We're looking at dumping trash," Holub said.
Brazil explained to the commission that the entities that dump at landfills assume some of the landfills' liabilities.
Holub asked where the county goes for standards. Brazil responded Kansas Department of Health & Environment provides those standards. Dallke asked how life spans of landfills were determined. Brazil said KDHE could answer that question.
Dallke then requested telephone numbers of KDHE officials to verify Brazil's information regarding the county's liability and other issues.
Brazil again asked the commission to approve the renewal of Robinson's contract because the contract's due date was Jan. 2.
Dallke said he would like for the trucking company to consider the option of hauling to a different landfill and didn't want to make a decision until he talked with Reno County.
Brazil advised the commission that if the contract with Robinson Trucking was not renewed, the county would have to advertise for bids and there may not be sufficient time to solicit bids before the Jan. 2 contract deadline.
Holub instructed David Brazil to research county costs if the county were to truck trash to a closer landfill like in McPherson County.
Dallke said he would bring information to the commission's next meeting on Monday for consideration.
