Decatur County Landfill is profitable for county

Tuesday morning at the Decatur County Commission meeting Jim Overman of the Solid Waste Committee gave the Commissioners an update on the status of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the status of the Sold Waste Facilities in Decatur County. Mr. Overman requested that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee be continued and and for new members to be appointed.

Mr. Overman stated that the new landfill, located on U.S. 27, has been running smoothly andhas shown a net positive income of $1.5 Million to $2 Million per year. The previous landfill, located on Fowlstown Road, cost the county around $500,000 a year in operating cost and expenses.

Along with the profitability of the new location, it has also has shown the potential for even greater capacity and lifespan. Once current modifications are completed the landfill will last the county for 50 to 80 years. Other modifications currently being done to the facility includes a construction and demolition section and new cell designs to the current municipal section. The construction and demolition section will not only save the county money but will also make Decatur County a more attractive location for certain businesses.

A long term goal is for the county to purchase ajacent land and expand the landfill, which could increase the lifespan to over 100 years while increasing the capacity for higher volumes of solid waste as well. This expansion could make several million dollars per year for the county.

While the new landfill is showing profit and growth, the old landfill is costing the county money to be used as a transfer location for solid waste. Mr. Overman told the Commissioners that the amount of people using the old facility has began to decrease in the past months. When the old landfill was still in operation it was costing the county around $500,000 more than the profit it was making. The closure of the old landfill by the state is expected in the next 30-90 days and the uncontrolled seepage of methane has been eliminated. While the old landfill has cost the county money in the past, it does have potential to be profitable in the future, the methane given off by the solid waste can be marketable.

Other business covered during the Commissioners meeting was the purchase of a new bulldozer for the landfill. The current bulldozer is coming up on the end of its lease and is in need of repairs to the under-carriage, which would cost the county around $25,000. The low bid for a new bulldozer was about $93,000 which would cost less than $20,000 a year. Commisser David Mosely didn't feel a new bulldozer should be purchased given the economic times. Commissioner Mosely stated that the county should "keep the old bulldozer and run it till it tears up," after making the $25,000 repairs. 

A motion was made and carried to accept the low bid and purchase the new bulldozer, with Commissioner Mosely being to only one to vote no.