Helena and Lewis and Clark County staff updated the commissioners on the progress of the local governments’ integrated solid waste master plan during a joint meeting between the city and county leadership. Great West Engineering and consulting firm Burns & McDonnell were hired to do the master planning. The county and city have partnered on waste disposal since about 1989, and the operations were officially consolidated in 2015. No substantial changes to the system will likely be made until the master plan is completed.
Stephanie Beckert told the commissioners the plan is expected to be completed by March 2024. In the interim, the companies have also planned multiple opportunities for public engagement at various stages in the project. Beckert said the stated goal of the work is to “create an efficient, comprehensive system that will improve waste diversion, and provide convenient waste disposal services at the best price for the people of Lewis and Clark County and the City of Helena.”
The consultants also helped establish a steering committee comprised of representatives from the city commission, county commission, city public works, county public works, Scratch Gravel Solid Waste District board, Helena Citizens Conservation Board, a private hauler, and at-large residents of the city and county.