Waste District Seeks Funds From Syracuse

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer-

SYRACUSE - Because the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District board is requiring director Sue Studebaker to slash her budget by a third next year, Studebaker asked the Syracuse Town Council Tuesday for financial support.

She said the county chose not to increase the tax levy for the district for "whatever reason" but now they see the need for more funding for the district. Even if they increase it next year for 2004, Studebaker said, they still won't receive those funds until the middle of 2004.

That won't help the district in 2003.

Because the district has to tighten its belt so much, one of its biggest expenses - the recycling center bins - will have to be cut. Six of the 12 may have to be eliminated.

When the district was formed, Studebaker said, it was hoped the tipping fees from the landfill would pay for the district. However, that's been a catch-22, she said, because the more people recycle, the less goes into the landfill and the less the district receives from tipping fees. And the district continues to offer more services to the people it serves.

On average, each recycling center costs $12,000 a year, but some cost more because people drop off more recycling at some stations than others. The Syracuse station costs approximately $17,000 per year. The district board, Studebaker said, asked her to approach the Syracuse town council to see if they will fund at least a portion of the center.

"It's not a situation I like," said Studebaker.

Town manager Brian Redshaw said the center is a "northern Kosciusko County facility."

Milford resident Jevne Drake said she is in Syracuse so much, she drops off her recyclables at the Syracuse station. The recycling center is important for northern Kosciusko County, she said.

"It's used by everyone," Carol Koble, councilwoman, said.

The Syracuse recycling center is used so much, Studebaker said, it's often overflowing. If money cannot be raised for the recycling center, she said, it's one she is looking at closing down.

The council agreed to pay $4,250 of the cost for 2003 if the Syracuse Lake Association, Wawasee Property Owners Association and the Turkey Creek Township also will contribute a fourth of the cost. The money will be paid out of the cigarette tax fund. [[In-content Ad]]

SYRACUSE - Because the Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District board is requiring director Sue Studebaker to slash her budget by a third next year, Studebaker asked the Syracuse Town Council Tuesday for financial support.

She said the county chose not to increase the tax levy for the district for "whatever reason" but now they see the need for more funding for the district. Even if they increase it next year for 2004, Studebaker said, they still won't receive those funds until the middle of 2004.

That won't help the district in 2003.

Because the district has to tighten its belt so much, one of its biggest expenses - the recycling center bins - will have to be cut. Six of the 12 may have to be eliminated.

When the district was formed, Studebaker said, it was hoped the tipping fees from the landfill would pay for the district. However, that's been a catch-22, she said, because the more people recycle, the less goes into the landfill and the less the district receives from tipping fees. And the district continues to offer more services to the people it serves.

On average, each recycling center costs $12,000 a year, but some cost more because people drop off more recycling at some stations than others. The Syracuse station costs approximately $17,000 per year. The district board, Studebaker said, asked her to approach the Syracuse town council to see if they will fund at least a portion of the center.

"It's not a situation I like," said Studebaker.

Town manager Brian Redshaw said the center is a "northern Kosciusko County facility."

Milford resident Jevne Drake said she is in Syracuse so much, she drops off her recyclables at the Syracuse station. The recycling center is important for northern Kosciusko County, she said.

"It's used by everyone," Carol Koble, councilwoman, said.

The Syracuse recycling center is used so much, Studebaker said, it's often overflowing. If money cannot be raised for the recycling center, she said, it's one she is looking at closing down.

The council agreed to pay $4,250 of the cost for 2003 if the Syracuse Lake Association, Wawasee Property Owners Association and the Turkey Creek Township also will contribute a fourth of the cost. The money will be paid out of the cigarette tax fund. [[In-content Ad]]

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