Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Waste Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Van Buren County adopts regional materials-management work program, applies for EGLE planning grant and contracts with Van Buren Conservation District
Summary
Van Buren County commissioners adopted a Southwest Michigan materials-management work program on March 11 and authorized application for EGLE planning grant funding, approved a $20,000 contract with the Van Buren Conservation District, and added a committee appointment to the materials-management planning committee.
The Van Buren County Board on March 11 adopted a regional Southwest Michigan materials-management work program and authorized staff to apply for an EGLE Materials Management Planning Grant to support multi-county recycling and materials-management efforts.
County staff said the three-county collaboration (Van Buren, Berrien and Cass counties) coordinated with the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission and the Van Buren Conservation District. EGLE agreed to cover costs for the current fiscal year and the counties anticipate receiving $107,793.50 to support the program; county staff described distribution of the award with about 80% to the planning commission and approximately $25,000 remaining for Van Buren County activities.
The board also approved a contract of $20,000 with the Van Buren Conservation District to assist with grant administration and implementation of outreach and recycling initiatives, and it approved an appointment (Sheila Bergen) to the Materials Management Planning Committee to replace a departing representative from Hydroaluminum. Commissioners additionally approved a letter of support for the Van Buren Conservation District's application to the Next Cycle Michigan Accelerator Track program, which provides technical support and mentorship for recycling and materials-management projects.
Staff noted there may be questions about reimbursement for work performed earlier in the fiscal year; EGLE has given differing guidance on whether pre-award expenditures would be reimbursed and counties intend to submit costs even if reimbursement is uncertain. The motions to adopt the work program, apply for the EGLE grant, approve the $20,000 contract and provide the Next Cycle support letter all passed.
The county will forward the contract and grant-authorizing motions to the March 25 Board of Commissioners meeting for final approval as required by administrative practice.
