MARSHALL — This week, Lyon County commissioners approved a proposal to install eight new gas wells at the Lyon County landfill. In a separate action, commissioners also authorized Burns & McDonnell Engineering to oversee the well installation – although they said they had some concerns about the cost of the oversight.

Lyon County Environmental Administrator Roger Schroeder said the county had requested quotes to install the gas wells at the landfill. The wells collect gas generated by decomposing garbage at the landfill.

“The board had allowed us to go out for quotes. There were two companies that responded. One responded saying they can’t make the timeline,” Schroeder said. The other company, Landfill Drilling and Piping, gave a quote of $78,114 for the well drilling and installation.

The quote also included an alternative item of $30,000 to install lateral pipe connections in the landfill gas system, Schroeder said.

“We feel that now that we’re back up to full staff at the landfill, that we can handle the surface piping on our own, and not accept that portion of the proposal,” Schroeder said.

The gas wells were included in the landfill’s budget this year, he said.

Commissioners voted to approve the quote for the gas wells.

In a separate item of business, Schroeder also brought forward a proposal to authorize Burns & McDonnell to provide oversight of the gas well installation, for a total amount not to exceed $34,300. But in discussion, county commissioners expressed concerns about the per-hour cost of the proposal.

The professional services authorization assumed a total of 110 professional hours for tasks including observing and documenting construction.

“I think it’s important that we have oversight working in the field,” said Commissioner Todd Draper. But while the work was worth doing, he said, “I don’t disagree that the price is a little high.”

After discussion, commissioners did approve the authorization for oversight of the gas well project.