Solid‑waste managers ask for compactors, warn of rising tire‑recycling costs; county standardizes collection‑site rules

Solid‑waste staff told the board that rising operating and disposal costs and aging equipment are straining service and asked for capital purchases to modernize collection sites.

Manager Chris (presenter) said the county's vendor prices for waste‑tire recycling have increased from roughly $100 per ton to about $300 per ton, driving an increase in that line from about $12,000 to $40,000 on the solid‑waste budget. The department proposed capital spending to install two complete compactor units (about $77,237 each in the request) and to buy a mix of 20‑, 40‑ and 50‑yard cans and octagonal cans to increase site throughput and spare capacity.

On collection‑site operations, the board voted to align county collection‑site holiday closures with New River landfill holidays so sites will be closed on the days the landfill is closed; commissioners also directed staff to update signage and rules to require household trash be bagged and to remove an ambiguous prohibition on double‑axle trailers (the board retained the one‑cubic‑yard bag limit and other limits on contractor/ commercial loads). Staff said compactors and additional cans should reduce traffic delays caused when large loads require shovel unloading and can fill single compactors.

The manager emphasized no new solid‑waste positions were requested; operating increases reflect wage adjustments and market cost changes. "We're going to bid the tire contract and the compactors and bring you final numbers," she said.

Next steps: staff will issue bids for compactors, submit firm capital figures, update signage and a user‑friendly rules sheet for the public, and return to the board with final procurement recommendations.