With minor legal changes, the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District approved the host agreement Wednesday with Packerton Land Co., Claypool, and Allied Waste Industries Inc., regarding the Packerton landfill.

Mike Armey, attorney for the SWMD, reviewed the agreement and said, "I felt there were several things that weren't in there, one being the term (of the contract)."

There also was no provision to increase tipping fees, which Armey added to the draft the board approved Wednesday. The district board approved a five-year term, with automatic renewal after every five years unless one of the parties decides to opt out of it after each term period.

Allied Waste will need to approve the agreement. If the company makes major changes in the agreement, the agreement will be brought back before the board for review. Minor changes will be negotiated by district board chairwoman Avis Gunter.

A host agreement is a contract between a solid waste district and a landfill that sets tipping fees and guidelines and provides protection to both the county and the landfill.

In other business, the district board approved a resolution to join Kosciusko Development Inc. District Director Marsha Eikenberry will serve as the board's representative.

Tara Stills, city advisory committee chairwoman, said the CAC discussed their mission statement and goals for 2000. Some of their goals include developing interest by local businesses in recycling; encouraging county composting; having a permanent recycling facility; and publicizing to county residents the locations of the recycling stations around the county. [[In-content Ad]]