 A decision has been made on a proposed plan to purchase the Bemidji Waste Management site. After reviewing three options, the Solid Waste Manager and the County Board agreed that the cheapest and best option would be to buy two current transfer stations from Waste Management instead of building a new one. The plan to buy the sites in Bemidji and Blockdeck would not affect the public. An agreement will need to be approved by two state agencies before the offer is closed. When proposed, in the proposed negotiated terms, Waste Management would lease part of the facility from the county for private business. We compared all the options, cost, impact to the public needs for future and current, and we determined option one, which is purchasing the transfer station, is the most feasible. If approved, the state would provide a grant for the remodeled site to ensure a 20-year lifespan. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.