New office, scale facility being built at SEMCO landfill

Southeast Iowa Multi-County Solid Waste Agency landfill staff is preparing to move operations into a new permanent office and scale structure next month.

The mobile office directly across from the site under construction has been in use the last 25 years. SEMCO manager Bill Sloop said its cracking floor, sagging and leaking roof and single-pain windows resulting in excessive heat bills prompted the SEMCO board to build new.

?It was near the end of its useful life,? Sloop said.

The new facility is 24 feet by 40 feet ? slightly shorter than the current facility, but with a layout that better uses the space, Sloop said.

Once the new office and scale opens, Sloop said there will be an additional lane for traffic to bypass the scale. Right now, even loads that don?t need to be weighed have to go across the scale because of the single-lane entrance.

?It?s going to be much more convenient access for citizens and customers,? Sloop said. It also will reduce the amount of wear and tear on the scale, he added.

Construction began in August and should wrap up next month. Winn J Construction Co. of Ollie is the general contractor on the project. The SEMCO board has resolved the construction may not exceed $99,000.

Sloop said funding for the project came out of SEMCO?s operating revenue without impacting the landfill?s rates or fees.

Once the facility is complete, SEMCO will accept sealed bids for removal of the mobile building.