County commission approves solid waste plan
Marion County Commission voted Monday to accept a regional solid waste plan.
It was with the understanding that the county could reject pursuit of some proposed projects, particularly funding of a publicly-owned landfill.
Each county is required by the state to have a plan addressing solid waste disposal. Marion County has an individual county plan, but also is a member of a regional solid waste group with Harvey and McPherson counties.
Part of the plan includes a proposal to establish a landfill somewhere in the three counties, to be owned and operated by the authority.
Commissioners Howard Collett and Leroy Wetta gave their support reluctantly. They don't want the commission's approval of the plan to result in the county being forced to accept a landfill or other regional proposals.
They think the county's best option is to ship its trash from the central transfer station in Marion to a distant landfill.
"I can't get excited about paying more money to break even, and taking on long-term liability," Wetta said.
Collett pointed out that Marion County produces far less trash than either of the other two counties but might end up paying a third of the cost.
Bob Hein, commission chairman, and David Brazil, public health sanitarian, said the county wasn't committing to anything by approving the plan.
Further action on a landfill would require all three counties to sign an interlocal agreement. If commissioners don't sign that agreement, the county won't have the responsibility, they said.
"For over a year I've been looking at this and when we weigh the pros and the cons, I still recommend signing this plan and moving forward," Brazil said.
Brazil said the reason a publicly-owned landfill has support is that the counties would have more control over their own solid waste.
The counties could find the best location where it would have the least impact on homeowners or the environment, he explained. A private company would be more focused on making a profit and would choose a site based on availability, not least impact.
Wetta said landfill regulations could become more stringent. Owning a landfill could become much more expensive with no additional source of income, since it would be designed to accept trash only from the three counties.
"I think Dickinson County had the best idea," he said. Dickinson County used to be a member of the region, but withdrew earlier this year.
"If we don't act today we've pretty much opted out," Brazil said. Withdrawing means the county would have to develop its own solid waste plan, and the state wants a plan approved now, he said.
Collett moved to accept the plan as long as the county can "check out" by refusing to sign an interlocal agreement. Hein seconded the motion. It passed two to one, with Wetta voting against
