The initial reception has been positive from property owners who live near the Flathead County Landfill about possibly selling their property to the Solid Waste District.

Solid Waste District Board members mailed out letters to 15 property owners in late May to assess the level of interest the owners have in selling their land. About half the owners have responded, Flathead County Public Works Director Dave Prunty said, and all of those have said they are willing to discuss selling.

Prunty realizes that often people who are interested in any venture are the first to respond to inquiries.

Board members have identified two areas near the landfill for possible future expansion. The board has said it wants to have enough land to bury garbage for 100 years. Current capacity at the landfill is 40 or 50 years.

Prunty and board members point out that acquiring property and obtaining permits for a landfill takes years, if not decades, so they’re beginning the process now.

“I know 50 to 100 years of capacity seems like a lot, but it’s not in the solid waste world,” Prunty said. “If the county changes its mind about using the land and operating a landfill, then it can be open for other uses at that site.” But, he said, burying trash remains the most cost-effective option for the district.

“Our process is to supply land for the taxpayers in Flathead County to put their garbage in,” board chairman Hank Olson said. “We don’t want to get landlocked and we need to plan for the future.”

The solid waste district would incur an $18 million liability to close the landfill, Prunty said.

The district’s budget every year includes money to pay for that eventual closing cost, as required by regulatory agencies. This year’s budget includes $600,000 toward final closure costs. Once an area of the landfill is filled up, final closure efforts must occur.

AT AN APRIL public meeting to tell about expansion plans and hear from landfill neighbors, some people threatened to sue the district if it tries to buy their land. Some said they were willing to sell. Others said they would sell but want to be able to lease back their homes for a decade or two before they have to move.

Board member Alan Ruby said the lease-back option under discussion is a good deal for landowners.

“I’d love to be able to live on property for 20 years and double down on my mortgage and not pay taxes,” he said.

The two areas identified for possible acquisition include 571 acres owned by one family across Prairie View Road from the landfill. The second area contains 14 parcels, owned by 14 families, totaling 91 acres adjacent to the landfill’s southwest corner.

Prunty and board members have repeatedly said they are interested in one option only. Either purchase would provide enough land to meet the 100-year goal, Prunty said.

Board members and Prunty say it will be harder to reach agreements with 14 separate property owners to buy the 91 acres. But, they say, if that land is acquired and used, the Solid Waste District can use existing infrastructure at the landfill, which results in using fewer taxpayer dollars. If the land across the road is purchased, the district would have to build roads and construct a new weigh station and other accessory buildings at the second site.

“There are multiple issues and benefits to either spot we end up at or anywhere we go,” Prunty said. “There are always opponents and proponents.”

The board is discussing whether to pay for initial property appraisals soon, at the request of some property owners.

“The owners want appraisals so they have some idea if selling is advantageous,” Prunty said.

Prunty said each initial appraisal would cost about $1,500. If the district decides to make an offer to purchase land, a final appraisal would have to be conducted.

“We want to assess level of interest on the landowners’ side to justify the appraisal expenses,” Prunty said.

Glenn Hook, one of the 14 property owners, said at nearly age 80, “it will be difficult for me to move in a couple of years.” But, Hook said, he won’t sell unless offered “what I consider a fair price.

“I don’t want to move. I don’t plan on moving. But if you’re going to more or less surround us, I would probably,” Hook said.

Hook and Dia Sullivan, another of the 14 owners, asked that the board decide soon if it wants to buy their land and make the buy within the next two years so they aren’t left hanging.

Hook also asked the board if their efforts to buy land from 14 different owners was futile.

“I really doubt you’ll be able to get 14 families to agree,” he said.

Board member Wayne Miller questioned the opposing positions voiced by some neighbors.

“The neighbors want a decision in two years but are saying, ‘I don’t want my place appraised now because values are down,’” Miller said. “The two positions are opposing each other.”

SOLID WASTE board members meet again June 26.

Prunty said at that meeting he will ask board members what sort of follow-up they want to take regarding the landowners who haven’t responded to the letter of inquiry.

“In any type of process like this you get a whole realm of feelings coming out,” Prunty said. “My goal is to get the board’s discussion going. Now the board needs to decide if we proceed, hold back, look at one property versus the other.”

The district has about $1 million in its land acquisition account, which board members have committed to fund at $200,000 a year. The landfill’s strategic plan estimates the cost to acquire new land at about $4 million.

The Solid Waste District operates with interlocal agreements between the county and the three incorporated cities in Flathead County.

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.