Macon-Bibb officials to take up landfill closure

While Macon-Bibb County officials work to fund an estimated $10 million needed to close its main landfill, the county could move closer to formally shutting down a smaller landfill.

The County Commission's Operations and Finance Committee is expected to take up a resolution Tuesday to use $652,500 to close the inert landfill that was used for yard waste and some construction material. While that landfill could be closed by the end of the year, officials continue to seek ways to pay for closing the county's much larger Walker Road landfill, which needs to be shut down in upcoming years.

The state's Environmental Protection Division has forced the closing of the inert landfill due to it being on a flood plain. Since last fall, waste that once went to that site, such as dirt, concrete and bricks, has been placed into the main landfill on Walker Road.

The $652,500 bid from Appling Brothers Co. to close the inert landfill would be paid for with more than $7 million that was set aside by the Macon Water Authority to help maintain the county's levee and close its landfills. Once construction starts, the contractor would have 180 days to close it, said Kevin Barkley, director of the Macon-Bibb County Solid Waste Department.

Also Tuesday, commissioners are set to begin creating a list of special purpose local option sales tax projects, which could include some money for closing the main landfill. The county has been able to reduce the amount of waste at that site in recent months through an expanded recycling program and a new garbage contract with Advanced Disposal Services.

"We're required to close it based on the life expectancy of the landfill, which we estimate will be extended since we're diverting material to (Advanced Disposal Services') landfill," Macon-Bibb spokesman Chris Floore said. "Our next step is identifying the funding source that will allow us to move forward with the closure plans."

EAST BIBB FIRE STATION SERVICES TO GO BEFORE COMMITTEE

The commission's Operations and Finance Committee could approve Tuesday the architectural and engineering services for a long-awaited east Bibb fire station, according to a draft resolution commissioners will consider.

The services would cost $101,000 for the 3947 Jeffersonville Road fire station that has been in discussion for several years. County officials had to select a new site after another location proved unable to support the weight of a fire station and equipment.

The $101,000 would be paid for with an urban redevelopment bond. The county also has about $2 million in SPLOST money that would be used to build the station.

To contact writer Stanley Dunlap, call 744-4623 or find him on Twitter@stan_telegraph.

This story was originally published April 11, 2016 at 3:28 PM with the headline "Macon-Bibb officials to take up landfill closure ."