An update to Logan County’s solid waste management plan would increase Cherokee Run Landfill tipping fees for out-of-county trash haulers by $1, adding about $400,000 to the oversight district’s annual revenues.
“We plan to use the additional revenue to pay down debt and increase our education efforts,” Logan County Solid Waste Management District Coordinator Angel Payne told the Bellefontaine City Council on Tuesday.
It has been more than six years since the last update to the plan and more than 25 years since the last tipping fee increase.
Even with the increase, the district’s fee is still one of the lowest in the state, Ms. Payne said.
The current out-of-county fee is $2 per ton. The in-county fee is $1 and would remain unchanged, she said.
Cherokee Run dumping fees include Republic Waste’s costs for operation and about six other entities include the solid waste district.
In-county tipping fees generated about $26,000 last year while out-of-county fees brought in around $880,000 for the district.
Ms. Payne said the Logan County Commissioners, who are the appropriating authority for the district, were “comfortable” with the slight increase.
Mayor Stahler pointed out the proposed fees will not impact refuse rates for city and county residents.
All of the townships and municipalities will have a chance to support the document which has been available for public review for several weeks.
Utilities Committee Chairman Zeb Wagner thanked Ms. Payne for the report and tabled a resolution supporting the update until the next council meeting Feb. 23. He wants council members to have time to review the 250-page document, if they so choose.
Council members did give first reading to pay ordinances for the clerical and service workers. It will provide a two-percent pay increase for the year and will be retroactive to Jan. 1.
City Auditor Jack Reser told the Finance Committee prior to the meeting the proposed permanent budget includes the raises.
The $24.1 million budget, which includes $8.2 million for the general fund, was given a first reading. It must be adopted before the end of March.
Overall, it is $35,000 less than the temporary budget.
During council comments, Councilman Mick Lile said he was concerned city leaders are taking too hard of an approach with William Greider, the Urbana resident who owns 214 S. Main St.
Mr. Lile was not happy that early on the city said it would take the owner to Bellefontaine Municipal Court if he did not address the building’s weakened and falling brick facade.
“As a city council, we’re trying to make friends, not enemies,” Mr. Lile said. “We want to attract people here not drive them off.”
Read complete story in Wednesday’s Examiner.
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