County council approves Solid Waste Management District budget; district remains self‑funded

Boone County’s Solid Waste Management District presented its proposed 2026 budget and the county council approved the budget at the workshop.

Jennifer Morris, executive director of the Boone County Solid Waste Management District, told the council the district is self‑funded through public‑private partnerships with trash haulers and receives no county general fund or property tax support. The district estimated 2026 revenues at about $617,500 and proposed a $736,623 budget that includes new lines for a seasonal part‑time position, a recurring audit line for the State Board of Accounts, a $50,000 consulting line and a $100,000 land and infrastructure line. Morris described the $100,000 land/infrastructure line as an earmark for future facility review rather than a contract to purchase property immediately.

Morris said the district has four rooms on the fourth floor (about “a couple thousand square feet”) and currently employs two full‑time and two part‑time staff. She told the council the district has raised rates only once in 35 years and that she and board members are exploring whether a district facility will be needed in the future.

Council members thanked Morris and board members who visited other sites to examine facility options. A council member moved to approve the Solid Waste Management District budget; the motion was seconded and the council approved the budget by voice vote.

Because the district is self‑funded, any mid‑year requests for capital would come before the council for approval and would be paid from the district’s solid waste management fund, Morris said.