Ames City Council’s Bold Move: Solid Waste Partnership with Carroll County on the Horizon
Ames is set to negotiate a long-term solid waste agreement with Carroll County, shifting from Boone County as the current landfill nears capacity.
Ames, Iowa, Solid Waste, Carroll County, Boone County, City Council
Ames: The city is looking to partner with Carroll County for solid waste management. This comes as the current agreement with Boone County is set to expire in 2025.
On Tuesday, city staff got the green light to start negotiations with the Carroll County Waste Management Commission. They’re aiming for a deal that lasts at least 10 years.
Right now, Ames sends a lot of its waste to a landfill in Boone County, which is about 18 miles away. But that landfill is filling up fast, with only about 30 years left before it reaches capacity.
Boone County has offered to extend the current agreement for two more years, but Ames wants to explore other options. The Carroll County landfill is about 69 miles from Ames, but city officials believe it could be a better long-term solution.
Initially, Ames had talks with the Metro Waste Authority in Des Moines, but those discussions hit some bumps. They found out that the authority’s main focus is on serving its own communities, which made it tricky for Ames to join in.
After looking at other options, Ames decided that Carroll County seemed like the best fit. They appreciate that Carroll County is well-managed and shares similar environmental goals.
Now, Ames is gearing up to negotiate with Carroll County, but they haven’t revealed any costs yet. It’s an exciting time for the city as they work towards a sustainable waste management solution.