BISBEE - Work on a third cell at the Western Regional Landfill should begin soon, with operation starting before November, a county official said Tuesday.

The Cochise County Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting approved a proposal from Hoque and Associates to provide professional services for the cell's design for the landfill, located 4 1/2 miles east of Whetstone, off of Highway 82. A third cell is needed, said L.H. Hamilton, the county's facilities/solid waste director. He told the board that 87,561 tons of trash were brought into the landfill last year. When he started in that position nearly five years ago, it was 70,000 tons.

"It's incumbent upon us to plan for the future and maximize it capability," he said at one point.

The company is charging a total of $148,300 for design and oversight.

The entire project, including construction, is estimated to cost $1.2 million, according to an executive summary. There is a chance the project might cost less after the county puts it out to bid for construction, Hamilton said.

Supervisor Paul Newman described the project as a little cheaper than it could have been.

In a memorandum, Hamilton praised Hoque and Associates for its excellent previous work for the county.

Hamilton said the cell should be under construction for three to four months, and the county is done with excavation.

"We still have to get it designed and approved by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality," he said.

The cell should be 30 feet deep, contoured out on the edges and attached to the liner under cell No. 2.

In other action, the board tabled paying $30,000 for 30 acres of land next to the county jail from Phelps Dodge.

Supervisor Richard Searle said he needed some clarification on exactly which portion of land was available.

Hamilton said nearly two years ago the sheriff's department told him about possibly discussing a land purchase from the company in anticipation of future jail expansion - for training or other purposes - on its north side

After negotiating, the two agreed to the county paying $1,000 per acre.