The original Southern Services Landfill began operation in 1974 as a construction/demolition landfill. The landfill is now permitted by the Tennessee Department of Solid Waste Management as a Class III/IV landfill for the disposal of farming wastes, landscaping and land clearing wastes, demolition wastes, and construction wastes.

In June 1996, the Phase 1 and Phase 2 waste disposal areas were permitted.

December 6 2000, Phase 3 expansion plans were approved by the Metro Storm Water Management Committee.

July 19, 2002, Phase 3 expansion was approved by the Metro Solid Waste Regional Board.

In March 2003, WMI submitted another request to extend and expand. The proposed Phase 4 expansion encompasses an approximate 7-acre area located between the original Southern Services Landfill and the Phase 2 expansion (permitted in 1996). The proposed Phase 4 expansion will increase disposal capacity by joining all currently permitted waste disposal areas. The 6-acre plat of land is a state and federally protected wetlands area and requires the relocation of an intermittent stream. This plat of land is a portion of the state and federally protected wetlands that was impacted or destroyed from the operations and expansion of this same landfill.

The Metro Solid Waste Region Board met on May 6, 2003 to consider the application for the expansion of the landfill. The notice of this meeting was placed in the classified ad section of the newspaper 2 days before the meeting, and the notice was not labeled as "Public Hearing" as required by state law. Little to no opposition was present at that meeting, and the request was approved.

On April 21, 2004 the Metro Solid Waste Regional Board met to consider rescinding its action taken at the May 6, 2003 meeting after the Metro City Council passed a Resolution asking the Board to rescind the May action and start over. At this Board meeting after much contentious debate, a vote was called. Members voted by a show of hands. The Chair announced that the motion to rescind had passed. The court recorder requested a voice vote, saying she did not see the hands of everyone voting "Yes". At that time Ms. Anna Alexander changed her vote from "Yes" in support of the motion to rescind to "No" in support of not rescinding. A clear and visible violation of Robert’s Rules of Order as stated in version 13.