Title
HEADQUARTERS LANDFILL
COUNCIL STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ADDRESSED:
Council Initiative: Continue effective financial management
CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: REQUIRED or N/A
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
In March 2014, Cowlitz County purchased the Headquarters landfill. Prior to this purchase, the County was negotiating with Waste Control to haul all Cowlitz County waste to the Roosevelt landfill in Eastern Washington.
At the time of purchase, it was envisioned that the Headquarters landfill was an investment in the future. The intent of the purchase was to provide Cowlitz County with a long term disposal option and control over tipping fees which are among the lowest in the state.
On Thursday, May 3, 2018, Cowlitz County Commissioners announced that they identified Republic Services of Phoenix, Arizona as their preferred partner for a potential public-private partnership to manage the Headquarters landfill. As of yet, Cowlitz County Commissioners have not decided if a public-private partnership is the best plan for operating the landfill and are waiting for Public Works Director Mike Moss to submit a proposal on behalf of Cowlitz County.
Under the County’s oversight, profits at the Headquarters landfill have exceeded $4 million annually for each of the past two years and the landfill has capacity for another 100 years.
Citizens have expressed concerns that a public-private partnership of the Headquarters landfill could decrease its lifespan and result in increased tipping fees.
As such, the Longview City Council respectfully requests that the Board of Cowlitz County Commissioners slow down this process and delay a final decision on selecting an operator for the Headquarters landfill until more information and a thorough assessment of impacts and benefits can be provided to all those that have such an important stake in this decision.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Motion authorizing the Mayor to sign the Headquarters Landfill lette...
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