JACKSON MAYOR: SALE OF LANDFILL COULD SAVE $300,000 ANNUALLY

JACKSON -- The city of Jackson could save at least $300,000 annually and continue to offer its residents free trash service if it sells its landfill to a private waste-management company before April 9, the mayor said.

"If the city is successful in negotiating an operating agreement, it may be possible to effect savings of no less than $300,000 per year," said Jackson Mayor Paul Sander. "That would make it possible for us to continue to provide free solid-waste pickup service to our citizens in the immediate and long-term future.

"If we do not come up with an agreement by the April deadline, the days of free trash service in Jackson will be over," said Sander. "Starting April 9, residents of Jackson could expect to pay at least $15 per month for their solid-waste collection service."

The Jackson Board of Aldermen met in executive session this week and selected one of three private solid-waste-management contractors that made proposals to the city to operate the landfill. Sander said the city now will begin direct negotiations with the company for the lease-purchase of the landfill.

The mayor said the board, acting on the advice of City Attorney David Beeson, will not release the name of the company because the action involves the sale of city-owned real estate. Non-public discussions on such transactions are permitted under the state's open meetings law.

At least three solid-waste-management firms made proposals to the board earlier this month: Browning-Ferris Inc. of Marion, Ill.; Continental Waste Management of Cape Girardeau; and Lemmons Waste Disposal Systems Inc. of Dexter, which is owned by Allied Waste Management.

The board approved the appointment of a four-member committee this week to prepare a proposed agreement for the long-term lease-sale of the landfill. The committee consists of City Administrator Carl Talley, City Attorney David Beeson, Public Works Director Mark Brown, and the city's engineering consultant, Rich Bowen.

"We've asked the committee to bring to the board a proposal for a joint operating agreement on the future operation of the landfill," said Sander. "We will announce details of the contract after the sale of the landfill is completed."

Jackson is facing an April 9 deadline on what to do with the 100-acre landfill. About 15 acres have been filled. It's estimated the landfill has a life span of 25-30 years, if the amount of recyclable material now going to it is reduced.

The city has three options: close the landfill before April 9 at a cost to the taxpayers of over $1 million; continue to operate the landfill, but only by paying for expensive upgrades to bring it into compliance with new EPA regulations; a long-term lease-purchase of the landfill by a private waste-management company.

Sander said the new Subtitle D requirements for sanitary landfills mark the beginning of a new era in the operation of landfills in the state. He said, "These regulations impose rigorous and exacting environmental protective measures for all landfills operating after April 9."

The mayor said if Jackson closes the landfill before April 9, it will have to monitor the landfill for leachate leakage for another 20 years. After April 9, the monitoring period is extended to 30 years. "The cost of complying with the new regulations will increase significantly, making it impossible for small municipalities to operate a sanitary landfill," the mayor said.

Sander said the cost of complying with the new EPA and DNR regulations will double the cost of waste disposal. "Currently, the citizens of Jackson are not charged for solid-waste collection or disposal of waste. The city is making every effort to continue this policy. Our negotiations with private landfill and waste management companies have provided some hope that our current policies may be continued," the mayor said.

"If the closure of the landfill is forced by the state or local interests, the cost of disposing of Jackson's wastes will more than double. Moreover, the cost of closing the landfill will exceed $1 million, and that doesn't include the cost of monitoring the landfill for a period of either 20 or 30 years.

"It is the intent of the city to negotiate the best possible agreement for the citizens of Jackson, and to minimize the city's cost of waste disposal."

Complaints have been raised by county residents who live near the landfill on County Road 341.

The mayor said, "The complaints of these residents have been noted and efforts to accommodate these citizens will be made."

He said the city's negotiations with the waste-management company will address the following issues:

-- Additional maintenance of County Road 341 required of the landfill operator.

-- Improved litter control in any future operation.