Commission argues over landfill services proposal

BERNALILLO — The Sandoval County Commission eventually voted unanimously at the Oct. 23 meeting for a resolution directing County Manager Wayne Johnson to explore operations and management consultation services for the Sandoval County Landfill. However, this was not before an amendment, a retraction of that amendment and then another amendment.

According to the resolution, the commission explored the possibility of turning the operation of the landfill over to a private contractor in 2023 and determined that it would cost approximately $1 million annually and significantly impact the county’s ability to fund both the closure of the current site by 2036 and the opening of a new landfill site.

The required new services would focus on operational efficiency, management, waste flow, capital equipment status and staffing.

“This is a response to Commissioner [Jay] Block’s concerns about operations and operational efficiency. This is directing us to go out and explore the possibility of either expanding the scope of the current contract or to bring in a second consultant to do management operational type of consulting for the county,” Johnson said.

He reminded commissioners that the current contract expires at the end of March.

“We have determined that Park Hill does offer these services as well, and we are exploring that opportunity with them,” he added.

Block made a motion for the first amendment that would require the county to have a new request for proposal done by the next county commission meeting on Nov. 13.

Commissioner Dave Heil and Johnson agreed that timeframe would not be beneficial and would put a strain on the process.

“I would advise against that timeline,” Johnson said.

He added that coming up with a new RFP in just a few weeks would lock them in to contracting with a second consultant. He said he would rather expand on the current contract than come up with a new one. The services needed, Johnson confirmed, are provided by the current contractor as well as the potential new one.

Commissioner Michael Meek accused Block of pushing the issue because the next commission meeting is after the election.

“I don’t think that there’s a need for us to blow through this to get it done by the end of November for whatever reason is being sought after. We’ve discussed this before. There’s absolutely no rush to move forward in a way we did last time with no results from it,” Meek said.

He added that it’s forcing the commission and the manager into a decision.

“I don’t think that’s fair to the people that are following you. I think that’s quite rude that you’re trying to jam this,” he said.

There was some confusion on the amendment itself, and it was initially passed with four commissioners voting yes and Meek voting no. However, when that amendment was initially passed, it included Block’s timeframe to have the new RFP by the next commission meeting. Because of that, Heil retracted his vote and they adjusted the amendment to remove that deadline while including the new RFP.

Once the amendment was adjusted, the commission voted unanimously to approve the resolution.

Johnson said they could have a new RFP by the new year.