Regional collaboration is set to take a significant step forward as Marion, Cedar Rapids, Linn County, and the Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency work to formalize an agreement regarding the future of the landfill located at 1954 County Home Road.

The City of Marion is considering a proposed limited expansion of the landfill that both protects the interests of the City of Marion and supports the long-term sustainability of essential waste management services and regional economic growth. The proposed expansion would reduce the current 1,800-foot setback by 450 feet, which in turn would extend the landfill's projected capacity date from 2036 to 2044.

The landfill, owned and operated by the Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency, is filling more quickly than previously projected and could reach capacity as early as 2036. The facility currently manages an average of 600 tons of waste per day. An early closure would significantly increase waste disposal costs for residents and businesses throughout Linn County and could disrupt essential waste management services.

"To ensure the long-term sustainability of these critical services and to support the region's continued economic growth, the City of Marion is willing to explore the possibility of a limited expansion," said Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly. "We're hopeful that the agreement will also give the region an opportunity to work collaboratively on long-term strategies for this important issue."

This consideration comes as the Solid Waste Agency has determined that siting a new landfill in Linn County is not feasible due to stringent state regulatory requirements, limited available land and local zoning constraints. Under existing agreements, the landfill cannot be expanded without the City of Marion's approval.

The agreement under consideration states that the City of Marion will only consider expansion of the landfill if a new governance structure is implemented that achieves county-wide representation and a reasonable host fee is established to compensate the City for the environmental impacts and growth-related challenges associated with hosting the landfill.

"Expansion would allow the Solid Waste Agency to continue providing vital waste management services to residents and businesses across Linn County," said Tyler Olson, board chair of the Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency. "It helps the region by managing long-term costs and user fees."

"Managing solid waste is a regional responsibility and long-term solutions require communities to plan together," said Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O'Donnell. "These discussions represent an important first step, opening the door to collaborative work to assess both near-term opportunities and future regional needs to support continued growth across Greater Cedar Rapids. We are committed to negotiating a joint approach balancing fiscal responsibility, environmental protection, and the needs of residents and businesses in Linn County for the next several decades."

"The proposed MOU is an important step toward a regional, long-term strategy for waste management in Linn County. By working together, we can deliver solutions that protect taxpayers, support growth, and ensure reliable service for decades to come," Linn County Supervisor Sami Scheetz said. Scheetz is also a member of the Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency board.

"Extending the life of the landfill is a practical step that helps protect residents and businesses from higher waste costs," said Linn County Supervisor Brandy Meisheid. "It also gives the region time to collaborate on long-term strategies that ensure reliable and sustainable waste services." Meisheid is also a member of the Cedar Rapids Linn County Solid Waste Agency board.

Each governing body will begin formal consideration of the proposed agreement on the following timeline: