Commission approves small ARPA-funded invoice for landfill berm; GFL seeks to re-bid county landfill work

Linn County commissioners on Nov. 24 approved payment of a $5,519.25 invoice from Terracon to cover work on a perimeter berm at the county landfill, with the expense to be paid from ARPA funds.

Public Works Director Jesse Walton reported that contractors completed the berm and related culvert work ahead of schedule, described how the berm is designed to keep potentially contaminated runoff inside the landfill area, and said the county will perform an as-built land survey to verify the work. Walton requested approval to pay the Terracon invoice from the landfill ARPA allocation; the commission moved, seconded and approved the payment by voice vote.

During public comment, Matt Sanders of GFL Environmental acknowledged past operational shortcomings and requested an opportunity to submit a proposal to resume solid-waste disposal services for the county. Commissioners directed Sanders to work with Public Works Director Jesse Walton to provide pricing and logistics rather than bring the matter directly back to the commission without staff review.

The commission also reviewed multiple bids for road salt and discussed paying initial invoices to a contractor (Dave Sutter) from insurance proceeds for roof repairs; those payments were described as covered by insurance funds rather than county operating dollars.

No formal procurement award to GFL was made at the meeting; commissioners instructed staff to gather information and return with any recommendation.