During the May 18, 2026 meeting, the Ashe County Commission approved a change order for the landfill project after proof rolling revealed a subgrade failure in an old, uncompacted draw area beneath the basin. Municipal Engineering advised that approximately 5,500 square yards of organic silty soil and roots under a thin clay layer could not safely support the liner system or future waste load, and the NC Division of Solid Waste would not allow construction to proceed without remediation. The preferred solution is soil‑cement stabilization, estimated at roughly $246,000–$250,000 on unit pricing, versus a more expensive $350,000–$400,000 undercut and replacement option. The work will involve three 6‑inch lifts, proof rolling, and independent density testing and is expected to take about a week and a half, funded from about $183,000 in project contingency plus remaining engineering allowances. This is a decided change order, but it confirms active capital investment in landfill expansion and identifies engineering oversight and regulatory drivers. Vendors in geotechnical services, QA testing, liner systems, and construction management can use this as incumbent intelligence and a timing marker for future phases, maintenance, monitoring, and related environmental or civil work at the landfill. Follow‑on needs could include additional stabilization, monitoring, drainage improvements, or design support as expansion continues.

Roughly $183,000 in project contingency plus engineering allowances are being used; NC Division of S...