County Board Committee Briefly Revisits Tipping Fee; No Action

The Effingham County Board Legislative Committee Monday briefly revisited a solid waste tipping fee approved by the old County Board, but there was no action.

Those present restated their previous positions, and there was some sentiment for getting more information before advancing on the issue.

County Board Chairman Jim Niemann noted that while the old Board approved instituting a fee, there was no fee set and no implementation plan.

Brian Hayes of Landfill 33 said he'd be glad to talk with the Board members to give information on the issue.  Hayes said current recycling in the county is inefficient and said he could show how to make it more efficient.

Local resident Bill Elving, a supporter of expanded recycling efforts, asked whether any tipping fee implementation plans are in place?  Board member Rob Arnold said county officials have met with the Effingham County Health Department on the plan, but said it hasn't been finalized.

Elving said expanded recycling would make Effingham County even with other counties and would lessen the amount of waste going into the landfill.  He said the tipping fee wouldn't cost the landfill, but would cost those who dump there.

Local resident Ed Hoopingarner voiced fears that the tipping fee would raise costs to local businesses.

Health Department Administrator Kim Esker encouraged Board members to talk with Landfill 33, with waste haulers and with the Health Department as well as local recycling providers in order to make a good decision on the issue.

The state-regulated maximum fee that could be charged is $1.27/ton.

Also Monday, committee members heard that little progress has been made on finalizing the County website.  The chief reason is that many county department heads have failed to provide information about their offices.  The matter is to be addressed at a meeting with department heads this Wednesday.

Committee members agreed to continue regular monthly County Board meetings at 4pm on the third Monday, and agreed to recommend continuing the mileage reimbursement rate when personal vehicles are used for County business at 50 cents/mile.