Crawford County to negotiate contract to stabilize household hazardous waste program at SEK Recycling Center

Crawford County commissioners discussed a proposed contract on household hazardous waste operations with Jeremy Johnson of the SEK Recycling Center, including options to fund a dedicated staff position and changes to processing fees.

The proposal aims to stabilize operations and budgeting for the county-run HHW program, which the recycling center currently operates on the county’s behalf. Jeremy Johnson, representing SEK Recycling Center, said HHW currently operates Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. and that the center is proposing two main funding options: the county pay the full cost of a position dedicated to HHW processing, or pay half of that position and accept a 10% administrative upcharge on processing fees.

The discussion matters because HHW intake keeps hazardous materials out of landfills and roadside ditches, but rising labor and processing costs have made the program’s expenses unpredictable for both the county and the SEK Recycling Center. “We want to figure out something that works,” Johnson said as he described the contract proposals and asked the county to formalize expectations in a written agreement.

Commissioners and SEK staff outlined the scope of materials the HHW program accepts — including household cleaners, pesticides, automotive fluids, oil-based paints, fluorescent bulbs, mercury and certain batteries — and the program’s fee structure. Johnson said residents of Crawford County receive a $50 annual allowance for covered HHW processing; out-of-county users are charged beyond that discount. He also noted that some items (car batteries, rechargeable batteries, transmission fluid, used motor oil, used cooking oil and fluorescent bulbs) are accepted at no charge.

On finances, Dave Perricone, the recycling center’s treasurer, warned commissioners that the center is “in trouble financially” and said, “I would say September if we can't,” referring to how long the center can continue under current conditions without additional support or a change in revenue. Commissioners said they prefer a predictable contract amount for the employee cost so the county can budget and the recycling center can forecast monthly revenues; variable processing costs for specific materials would remain separate.

Recycling-center officials described steps already taken to reduce costs and increase revenue: a consultant review in April recommended operational changes; staffing was reduced from 12 to eight positions; the center is pursuing more business collection contracts (about 40 business accounts currently) and larger partnerships such as a potential curbside pickup arrangement with Pittsburg that could increase volume. The center also said KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) grants and other one-time grants have funded equipment and facility setup in the past, with grant investment into the current facility described as “north of $100,000.”

Commissioners asked for follow-up materials. One requested a timeline and a list of consultant recommendations and what the center has implemented; county leaders and SEK staff discussed targeting an implementation or contract start at the beginning of a month for accounting purposes. Jeremy Johnson and Perricone indicated they hoped to start soon and asked for county staff to prepare draft contract language. County staff said they will review the proposals and work toward a written contract that formalizes funding and services.

The meeting also included a brief discussion — raised by Commissioner Bruce — about tire reclamation and the history of state funding for tire collection, and an announcement of a future update from the Southeast Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Center scheduled for 06/24/2025. No final contract or formal vote on HHW funding was recorded in the public transcript; commissioners said they would continue negotiating and expected a return to the discussion as staff review contract terms and the recycling center provides additional documentation.

Ending: County staff will review SEK Recycling Center’s contract proposals and consultant recommendations; SEK staff said they will provide more detail on recommended changes and a timeline, and commissioners indicated they expect further follow-up before committing funds.