Transfer station changes hours of operation
Staff reporter
Marion County Transfer Station will change its hours beginning Aug. 1.
Interim manager Rollin Schmidt said he had contacted cities regarding a change and was told it would be workable.
Current hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
The new hours would be 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said the transfer station was there to serve the public, not employees, but was willing to try the change.
Schmidt also reported three companies have expressed an interest in operating the transfer station. The reason for the interest is the companies could dictate where the trash would be hauled.
The county would continue to own the property and equipment.
Schmidt will obtain more information.
In other department news:
— Commission chairman Dan Holub reported Kansas Department of Health and Environment could enforce existing state law to penalize those entities that do not have required recycling plans.
— After receiving inquiries from residents regarding changes to solid waste charges, Holub clarified that the reduction in costs was for disposal, not collection.
"The county has gone as far as it can," said Holub. "It is now up to individual cities to address."
Consultant Jim Kaup sent a statement to the commission that could be used to explain its reasoning for the price reduction for those residents living in public housing authority facilities.
The statement read in part: "We find it be in the best interest of Marion County to have adequate housing available for citizens with lower incomes. We believe it is proper for us to take appropriate steps to help maintain the housing that we already have that is available to those who most need affordable housing.
"While we know this amendment does not benefit everyone, it is what we can responsibly, reasonably do today. This reduced fee will cut the cost a little for some of our citizens who live in housing, operated by public housing authorities.
"We are one community, and we need a mix of housing types and costs that meet the needs of the entire community."
