Rawlins County hears landfill misuse, equipment cost concerns and tables contractor extension request

Rawlins County commissioners on Oct. 31 were told a recycling trailer at the Herndon site is being misused and heard that landfill compactor equipment runs in the $300,000–$400,000 range, prompting discussion of grants and trade options. The board also reviewed a contractor request for extra time and payment tied to road project work and tabled an extension pending documentation.

Corey Castens, landfill/recycling supervisor, reported the Herndon trailer had again been filled with unbroken cardboard and other trash; county staff have modified the trailer so cardboard must be broken down before insertion and warned the trailer could be removed for 30 days if misuse continues. Castens and staff discussed seeking grants for a scale so contractors could be charged by the ton and exploring vendor trade options for compactors after finding prices in the $300,000–$400,000 range.

Bernie Straetker of Miller & Associates joined by GoToMeeting to explain contractor Cahoj's request for three additional weeks and additional funds for extra work. Straetker said the additional work appeared reasonable to pay but commissioners expressed reluctance to grant the three-week extension without receiving Cahoj's daily logs, hourly rates and asphalt millings scale tickets; Miller & Associates noted logs indicate 60 days when Cahoj did not work and that the firm had to make repeated outreach to keep the contractor on schedule. The board decided to review the documentation at the next meeting before deciding on time and payment adjustments.

Road & Bridge updates from Mark Loop included Lone Star Bridge work, mowing and blading activity and mention of a possible future electrical transmission line requiring temporary entrances. Commissioners did not take final action on equipment purchases at the meeting but discussed options for grants and funding for landfill and road equipment.