Butler County raises out-of-county landfill rate for 2026, approves $24,000 compactor repair

The Butler County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to raise the county—or out-of-county municipal solid waste (MSW) and to authorize up to $24,000 to buy parts to repair a landfill compactor.

Curtis Mader, director of public works, told commissioners the proposal would keep out-of-county rates $5 above the county—or in-county MSW and would buy time to evaluate changing waste volumes after a recent shift in sources. "I proposed this year, we do the same," Mader said, explaining the increase would maintain the county pproach while staff gathers more data.

The action matters because the county is seeing a change in tonnage coming to the Butler County landfill. Mader said tonnage from the west used to be about 135 tons per day and is now roughly 63 tons per day routed through Waste Management; that fluctuation complicates budgeting for cell expansions, leachate infrastructure and equipment purchases.

Commissioners discussed options including targeting agreements with specific cities and the longer-term budget and staffing implications. Mader said staff has delayed major equipment purchases and will reassess finances once volumes and contracts are clearer. "Everything we've done in the past has been cash flowed through the landfill and that may look different," he said.

Separately, commissioners approved spending up to $24,000 to replace parts on a Bomag compactor after the machine was taken out of service. Mader said the county had borrowed a loaner part to run the machine while waiting for permanent parts from the vendor; the permanent replacement, including labor and shipping, is estimated at about $24,000. The motion to approve the parts purchase passed 5-0.

The fee increase was moved by Commissioner Wazak and seconded by Commissioner Murphy; the motion carried 5-0. The compactor repair purchase was moved and seconded by the same commissioners and also passed unanimously.

County staff said the rate change will be effective Jan. 1, 2026, and that landfill planning will continue this fall as staff monitors tonnage shifts and explores potential agreements with neighboring cities and haulers. Mader told the board that planned cell expansion, C&D (construction and demolition) capacity increases and leachate projects remain on the county—apital list but that financing and timing may change depending on future volumes.

No public comment was taken specifically on the fee vote during the meeting; commissioners said they expected further updates as staff refines tonnage projections and budgeting scenarios.