Augusta ends contract with landfill consultant

The Augusta Commission voted Tuesday to end a longstanding relationship with a landfill contractor and turn all operations back over to the Environmental Services Department.

The commission voted 6-2 to end the contract with Atlantic Coast Consulting Inc. with commissioners John Clarke and Brandon Garrett voting no. Commissioner Dennis Williams abstained while Bill Fennoy was out.

The commission voted last year to extend the firm’s contract as the city contended with multiple Georgia Environmental Protection Division complaints and failed inspections.

In most instances, the city was failing to cover disposed waste daily and allowing landfill leachate to escape into waterways. Earlier this year, the commission voted to spend up to $1.2 million for city staff and equipment to comply with an EPD consent order.

The city has paid Savannah-based Atlantic $7.2 million for work at the landfill since 2014, including $600,000 this year.

The commission took the vote after more than two hours behind closed doors.