Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
More household hazardous waste came into the KC Depot, owned and operated by the Kosciusko County Solid Waste District, in June than from November through June. People brought in electronic equipment; 301 gallons of paint; more than nine gallons of pesticides; acids, including a gallon of DDT; 69 fluorescent tubes; and 12 gallons of antifreeze.
All of the household hazardous waste items will now be kept out of the landfill. And all of the items will have to be disposed of at the district's expense. Last month's "collection" cost more than $7,000 to haul off. Some of the expense comes from the tail end of a $23,000 HHW grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, which requires an in-kind match.
The district's board heard Tuesday the current grant has nearly been spent, and another $20,000 grant is still available. However, because of the district's finances and the in-kind match requirement, the HHW program will soon come to an end, according to district director Sue Studebaker.
She said she withdrew another grant proposal because of anticipated lack of funding.
Early in the spring the board decided against a tax increase and a user fee for the district. At a special meeting July 2, board president Ron Truex admitted the district is going to run out of money.
"We're going to have a much reduced program," he said last week. "The time to raise property taxes has passed."
Currently taxpayers pay a $0.003 tax per $100 assessed valuation in support of the district. While there was talk in the spring about raising this figure, no action was taken because the board decided to cash the district's $53,000 certificate of deposit.
At the end of February, the district had a balance of $341,000 with an anticipated carry-over of $56,000 into 2003 and would still be able to maintain all services.
Now the budget is expected to be cut by about $117,000, and household hazardous waste collection will be the first to go. It is anticipated the number of recycling collection stations also will be reduced. There are a dozen stations distributed throughout the county; they are managed by Stafford's Solid Waste.
The Stafford's contract is $150,000, or $12,600 per month. It is anticipated that budget item will be reduced to $110,000 in 2003.
Reduced services go against the district's 20-year plan that was approved by the state. Jim Weingart of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management cautioned the board last week against reducing services. He said the department's legal counsel would be consulted if such reductions did occur, which Truex and board member Avis Gunter termed a threat.
Currently the district's cash balance is $79,777, which should see them to the end of the year.
Part of the troubles came when tipping fees from the landfill were reduced. Reportedly, Allied Waste Industries, which owns the Packerton landfill, lost a foundry contract, which means reduced tonnage.
Board member Brad Jackson asked about user fees for HHW collection and Studebaker said that was unrealistic - that people wouldn't pay. There is a $10 fee for computer monitors and televisions. Studebaker said the reuse room is full of items for the public to take.
In her report, Studebaker said only 75 people signed up at the fair for giveaways and information, compared to 700 last year. She thought the Merchants' Tent should have been closer to the asphalt road at the fairgrounds for more traffic.
The next meeting will be July 23 at 2 p.m. to discuss the budget.
Solid waste board members are: county commissioners Ron Truex, Avis Gunter and Brad Jackson; Warsaw city councilman George Clemens; Winona Lake councilman David Delp; and county councilman Tom Anglin. Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins was absent.
