County committee authorizes negotiation to pursue adjacent 8‑acre site for solid-waste facility, contingent on Phase I study

The steering committee approved a motion to give county staff negotiation authority to pursue an adjacent 8‑acre parcel for the solid‑waste facility, contingent on a satisfactory Phase I environmental assessment and final approval by the full County Commission.

County Executive (addressing the committee) said the original site has septic issues and that the adjacent parcel could be suitable if a Phase I environmental study shows no problems. Chair (identified on the record) framed the request as limited to negotiation, saying any purchase would still require full commission sign‑off and a satisfactory environmental report.

Commissioner TK Austin moved to grant negotiation authority; the motion was seconded and the committee voted to proceed with negotiation contingent on the Phase I assessment and commission approval. The chair recorded the tally as four in favor and one opposed.

Committee members asked procedural questions about timing and the rental arrangement in place while the county relocates operations; the County Executive confirmed the county is currently paying roughly $3,000 a month for a temporary facility while searches continue. The estimated cost for the Phase I assessment was described in the meeting as a rough figure but not specified precisely.

The committee did not authorize purchase today; it limited action to negotiation and study. The next procedural step is to complete the Phase I environmental assessment and return to the full commission for any purchase decision.