Leaders warm to trash transfer idea
Instead of creating a landfill, commissioners request contractors' proposals for a new trash transfer station.
By CATHERINE E. SHOICHET
Published January 26, 2006
LECANTO - Space at the Central Landfill may not run out for a dozen years, but when it does, county commissioners want the county to be prepared.
At Tuesday's commission meeting, they agreed that rather than finding space for a new landfill, county staffers should ask contractors to submit proposals for building a garbage transfer station at the current landfill.
That will allow the county to get rid of its trash by transferring it from garbage trucks to 18-wheelers and then out of Citrus.
Director of Public Works Glenn McCracken told commissioners that space in the Central Landfill will last for 12 to 18 years.
"The county's growing, and the rate at which we are going to use that capacity is increasing," he said.
Building another landfill in the county would take 10 years and cost between $10-million and $20-million, he said.
Designing and building a transfer station would take about 2.5 years and cost between $6.5-million and $8.7-million.
That, combined with operating costs, would increase the county's garbage disposal costs from $52.03 per ton to $105.34 per ton, McCracken said.
The numbers were based on a study conducted for the county by consultant R.W. Beck.
The study assumed the county would generate 600 tons of trash per day that would be trucked to the New River Landfill 109 miles north near Raiford.
In October, the county opened a new 6-acre cell at the Central Landfill.
Director of Solid Waste Susie Metcalfe has said it will take about 10 years to fill that cell.
"I think we should look at that (cell) as a savings account," McCracken said.
Once crews build a transfer station, the landfill can still be used if problems arise with off-site disposal. And during hurricane season, he said, the landfill could provide a place for quick debris disposal.
"The whole key to this is to be able to negotiate with strength while you still have space available," Commission Chairman Gary Bartell said.
Commissioners voted unanimously for the county staff to start asking contractors for unofficial feedback and proposals. In March, the county is slated to put out a formal request for qualifications and proposals.
Commissioner Joyce Valentino asked county staffers to add the possibility of rail transfer to requests.
Those proposals will be evaluated and ranked by staffers. Ultimately, the County Commission will select a firm in June.
Catherine E. Shoichet can be reached at cshoichet@sptimes.com or 860-7309.