During the October 22, 2024, Board of Commissioners Meeting in Benton County, Arkansas, significant concerns were raised regarding the management of the Coffin Butte landfill and its impact on local water quality and community health. Residents voiced their apprehensions about Republic Services, the company managing the landfill, particularly in light of its past promises and the potential for increased waste disposal.

Catherine Stearns, a community member, emphasized the importance of enforcing the landfill's tonnage cap, which is currently set at 1,100,000 tons per year. She urged the commissioners to provide a clear statement of accountability regarding this cap, including the penalties for exceeding it. Stearns highlighted a troubling precedent from Yamhill County, where a lack of enforcement led to significant increases in waste being dumped at Republic Services' landfill. She expressed concern that without strict enforcement, Benton County could face similar issues, especially with the anticipated influx of waste from Marion County's decision to stop accepting its own waste.

Stearns also criticized the county's legal counsel, Vance Cronin, for allegedly negotiating away the county's control over the tonnage cap in a previous franchise agreement with Republic Services. She suggested that hiring outside legal counsel might be necessary to renegotiate terms that would better protect the community's interests.

The meeting underscored a growing unease among Benton County residents about the landfill's capacity and the potential environmental consequences of increased waste disposal. Many voiced fears that the county could become a dumping ground for waste from other regions, exacerbating local pollution and health risks.

As discussions continue, residents are calling for transparency and accountability from their local government to ensure that their concerns are addressed and that the integrity of their community and environment is preserved. The commissioners are now faced with the challenge of balancing the operational needs of the landfill with the health and safety of Benton County residents.