(KNZA)--The Jackson County Commission is moving ahead with plans that could significantly extend the life of the county landfill.

During the June 8 commission meeting, Environmental Services Superintendent Darlene Selley and BG Consultants engineer Brian Foster outlined options for expanding the landfill's current construction and demolition waste cell.

Officials say the existing cell has about five years of remaining capacity. However, a proposed vertical expansion could extend that lifespan to roughly 20 years.

The project would involve building a berm and raising the landfill by approximately 20 feet. Foster told commissioners that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment recently identified some water seepage during an inspection, but has approved the proposed expansion. He noted that additional state approval could be required if a new catch pond is needed as part of the project.

Foster, who helped design the landfill's original engineering plan in 2006, said the facility is currently operating in Phase Three of a four-phase development plan. He estimated engineering costs at just over $38,500.

Under the proposal, the county Road and Bridge Department would construct the berm, although officials have not yet determined where the necessary fill dirt will come from.

Commissioners were told that sufficient money is available in the landfill's capital outlay budget to cover the engineering costs.

Commission Chairman Mark Pruett voiced support for the 20-year expansion option, and the commission reached a consensus to move forward with planning for the project.