Solid waste division seeks funding to guarantee two hazardous‑waste events and convert enforcement role to full time

Solid Waste staff asked the commissioners for two expansion items: additional funding to guarantee two household hazardous‑waste (HHW) collection events per year and conversion of a part‑time solid‑waste enforcement officer to a full‑time position.

Staff recapped participation and weights at recent HHW events: in one spring event (April/June 2024) about 129 residents dropped off nearly 12,000 pounds of material; fall 2024 serviced 86 residents with almost 8,000 pounds collected; spring 2025 had 146 residents (weights not yet available at the presentation). The division said events are well received and increasingly used; the department requested an additional $20,000 to guarantee a second event each fiscal year. Staff clarified that $20,000 covers one event and that the proposed additional $20,000 would fund a second event.

On enforcement, staff said the budget previously included a part‑time enforcement officer funded in FY25 but that recruitment had been unsuccessful: the position has been advertised continuously since Aug. 16, 2024 and only three applications were received with no hire. Staff proposed converting the role to full time, noting upcoming ordinance changes that add junk‑vehicle and abandoned‑mobile‑home provisions and increase expected enforcement workload. Staff noted fines collected would flow to the solid‑waste fund and would provide some offset, but that those revenue offsets were not yet included in the expansion worksheet.

No formal action was taken; both requests will be considered in the county’s budget process.