Lycoming County commissioners respond to social media criticism over landfill finances, describe review and long-term closure obligations

Lycoming County commissioners publicly addressed social-media criticism about the county landfill’s finances, saying staff are conducting a detailed financial review and that closure and post-closure funds required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) remain restricted for site closure and long-term care.

A commissioner said the county has engaged two teams of financial reviewers to examine landfill accounting and that the current public record shows operations are not profitable. Commissioners cautioned against assigning blame for past decisions and emphasized the board’s obligation to identify present conditions and determine options going forward.

Commissioners explained that the large sums sometimes discussed on social media are funds set aside for landfill closure and post-closure care — money that by law must be retained to ensure proper long-term monitoring and remediation after cell closure. One commissioner said the closure funds are not freely spendable for general operations and that the operational (day-to-day) finances are a separate issue.

Officials said the county may have additional available airspace for future disposal because federal land recently acquired could provide capacity; the county estimates that, if fully usable, added acreage could extend disposal capacity significantly, possibly decades, but commissioners said they do not have a precise timeline and that any usable acreage will be subject to regulatory and engineering review.

Ending: Commissioners said they are continuing a careful, multi-team review of landfill finances and operations, that closure funds required by DEP remain reserved for closure/post-closure obligations, and that staff will return with findings and options for the taxpayers’ consideration.