Scott County commissioners accepted a revised Transfer Station Operations and Emergency Response Plan on Oct. 8 and set a schedule for closing three curbside satellite collection sites.

County staff told commissioners the state environmental agency (IDEM) recommended that the county either formally incorporate the satellites into the transfer‑station permit or publicly announce a firm shutdown date to limit illegal dumping. The board chose the latter path: staff will publish notice in the newspaper the week of Oct. 15 and post signs at the courthouse, the main transfer station and each satellite site. The satellites affected include the Lexington Township location and two other community satellite drop‑off points; the board set an effective closure date of Nov. 1.

Commissioners also directed immediate steps to address visible contamination at the Lexington Township site. IDEM guidance discussed at the meeting recommends excavation of visibly affected soil down to a depth sufficient to remove contamination (the presenter described digging 6 inches below visibly impacted soil as a practical remediation step); the board instructed staff to proceed with investigation and remediation planning and to include those actions in the transfer station operations plan.

County officials said the satellite sites had been historically operated as part of county curbside collection but that current disposal cost pressure and contract funding shortfalls require consolidating collection at the main transfer station. Commissioners instructed staff to provide signs and public notice explaining options for residents (sticker programs and disposal alternatives) and to coordinate with the sheriff for enforcement against illegal dumping after the effective closure date.

Ending: The board approved the operations and emergency plan and set Nov. 1 as the shutdown date for satellite curbside collection points; remediation planning at Lexington Township was authorized.