Walker County landfill director recommends ending regular Saturday hours after financial review

Payne Gilley, Walker County’s director of solid waste and environmental management, told the Board of Commissioners that Saturday is the landfill’s busiest day in customer traffic but among its weakest for disposal tonnage and core revenue. "Saturday traffic averages about 1.9 times more than weekday traffic," Gilley said, "but Saturday core tons are only about 38% of an average weekday."

Gilley said Saturday average daily revenue is roughly $4,124 and that after contracted disposal costs, labor and fuel the remaining direct margin is "relatively thin," and does not account for management oversight, equipment maintenance or utilities. He ran scenarios showing that operating only two Saturdays per month or closing Saturdays entirely would retain much weekday demand while avoiding Saturday-specific costs; his model assumes about 75% of closed-Saturday demand would shift to weekdays.

Several commissioners asked for clarification about the survey, and Gilley said he had surveyed 1,001 customers and that about 73% said they could shift to weekday service if Saturdays were closed. Commissioner Blakemore noted that Saturday is a service day for some residents who work weekdays; Gilley acknowledged the point and offered a longer survey if commissioners wished.

Public commenters urged caution. Raleigh Tate questioned the survey framing and said Saturdays are the only practical day many working residents can visit the landfill. Jim Pope stressed the need to preserve emergency access routes, arguing roads used for remote access can be critical in crashes or wildfires.

The board did not vote on changing hours at the meeting. Chair Angela Teens said the presentation was a preparatory briefing and that commissioners anticipated a fuller discussion in June before any action.