The Prince Edward County board of supervisors discussed the operational expenses of taking over operation of the county’s landfill at Thursday’s monthly board meeting.

“We are still researching the exact costs of these items,” said County Administrator Wade Bartlett in an agenda document. “These items include a bulldozer, track loader and road tractor, and a tractor with a loader. We are also researching the purchase of additional items from Wright’s Excavating that can be used for replacement parts and a service truck with an air compressor and related tools, a gas and electric welder, 2.5 ton hoist, outriggers and thread tap and dies.”

He said they were also investigating the purchase of a steam cleaner and the need to dig a new well for the scale house, all items of which will cost approximately $200,000.

“The items will be used for replacement parts and will save the county much more in future expenses than the current purchase price and after we have finished using them for parts they can be sold for scrap,” Bartlett said.

The current contractor that operates the landfill, Wright’s Excavating LLC, sent a letter to the county Sept. 7, citing that after much deliberation the firm would not be able to continue operating the landfill.

Bartlett previously cited the total annual budget for the landfill would be $526,754, which would be about a $131,168 less than the latest bid the county received for employing an independent operator.

“The company lost Carroll Wright and Steve Wright within a matter of a five-month span,” Mary Louise Wright wrote in the letter. “… The company has not been able to find sufficient help to manage the day-to-day operations with the three-month extension period that was granted.”

The letter also cited the company would continue to work with the county by operating until the end of the year.

The letter cited that Wright’s Excavating LLC has worked with the county for 30 years.

Bartlett was directed during the Sept. 12 board meeting to research what the cost would be to the county if the county were to operate the landfill.