Keith County discusses logistics, liability and funding for scrap-tire amnesty event

County staff and Keep Keith County Beautiful representative Christine Vale discussed whether Keith County can host a 2024 scrap-tire amnesty event and under what conditions. Vale, who writes the DEE grant that funds the program, told the board "the grant is yours, it's not mine," and outlined changes in state funding and interagency responsibilities that affect the program.

Participants discussed practical hurdles including site availability, insurance and workers'comp coverage for county employees working off county property, equipment and labor needs, the cost and timing of hauling and re-loading tires, and previous experiences where trucks did not remove materials as scheduled. Vale said the state funding stream for amnesty events is under pressure and that programming and funding models are evolving; staff said the county already budgeted local matching funds.

Commissioners asked that county staff, Keep Keith County Beautiful, the roads department and county legal/insurance staff meet to craft a plan that addresses liability, site selection, control over who may use the event (residents only vs. other counties), and whether to allocate grant line items for rental equipment or employee labor. No formal vote was recorded; the board directed staff and Vale to convene a working group and return with a plan and timeline that can determine whether the event can proceed in 2024.