Brown County officials weigh whether to continue household hazardous-waste service after steep disposal costs

Brown County commissioners spent an extended portion of their meeting on Feb. 10 reviewing the county’s household hazardous-waste program after staff reported an unexpectedly high bill for recent material disposal and low fee revenue.

County staff member David told the board a small load he personally took to the regional contractor generated a disposal charge of $3,900, and the county brought in just $377 in direct gate receipts last year. “I talked to two officials at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and they both told me that we are not required to have a hazardous waste program,” David said, adding he is recommending the county consider stopping the program while researching alternatives.

The discussion focused on three practical and fiscal problems: (1) a standing contract the county maintains with Jackson County that charges a…