Jackson County considers extra trash-cart purchase as subscriptions rise
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Summary
Solid Waste Director requested purchase of additional 48-gallon carts to meet growing customer counts; commissioners deferred action to new business next week for formal procurement.
Jackson County’s solid waste director told commissioners on June 23 the county needs an additional load of residential carts because customer accounts have increased and many existing carts date to 2008 and are deteriorating; commissioners agreed to place the purchase on next week’s new-business agenda for formal approval.
Why it matters: The county provides residential carts for curbside collection. Growth in accounts and wear on older carts creates operational needs and short-term procurement decisions with budget implications.
Director Caleb Skipper explained the county typically budgets for two loads of carts each year and that the second scheduled load is nearly exhausted. Much of the county’s stock dates to 2008 and shows accelerated wear. Skipper told commissioners the current quoted unit price in the packet is $48 per cart; historically the county paid between about $56 and $60 per cart with prior suppliers, and the director said he has worked to lower unit costs. The director also estimated the county has about 13,000 customers served, with 2,000–3,000 households not on the county’s current subscription service but with carts in the field.
Commissioners asked whether the procurement would be sole-source; the director said the county had purchased from a small set of vendors historically and provided one quote for the packet while he solicits additional bids. Commissioners agreed to add the item to next meeting’s new-business agenda for formal consideration and to allow the director additional time to solicit competing quotes.
Decisions and next steps: No formal contract or purchase was authorized at the June 23 meeting. Commissioners directed staff to place the procurement on the next meeting agenda and to return with additional vendor quotes and procurement details to ensure competitive pricing and compliance with county purchasing procedures.
Provenance: The solid-waste discussion appears in the work-session portion of the June 23 meeting transcript where the director described inventory levels, per-unit pricing, and the request to add the item to next week’s new-business agenda.