Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Burn Waiver Tree Removal topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ellis County agrees to one-time haul/waiver for resident clearing tree piles near hospital
Summary
A county resident asked for relief from a $20-per-ton nonresident landfill fee to remove large tree piles. Commissioners agreed to a one-time waiver, requested coordination with county landfill staff, and set a follow-up at the February meeting to report progress.
During public-comment time on Feb. 4, resident Ron Adams asked the commission for help hauling and removing large piles of trees and brush on his 13–14 acres adjacent to the hospital fitness trail and a developing subdivision.
Adams said piles created by excavation work included trees up to about 2.5 feet in diameter and that hauling would likely take about a week. He asked whether the county could waive the $20-per-ton nonresident fee charged at the City of Hays landfill so he could remove the material rather than leave large burn piles near the hospital.
Justin Gregg, environmental services director, said county policy allows burns in unincorporated areas with a permit from dispatch and that the county does not charge a fee to obtain burn permission. Gregg explained the $20-per-ton charge applies at the City of Hays landfill to non-city residents: "The City Of Hays pays for residents to bring them out there for free... for non residents... it's $20 a ton." He also noted it can be difficult to distinguish city from county residents at drop-off without policing.
After hearing details about pile size, estimated hauling time and the proximity to hospital grounds and the VOTEC (VOTEC school) property, commissioners agreed informally to allow a one-time waiver or exception to have the larger material hauled and disposed without the $20-per-ton fee in this instance. The commission asked Adams to coordinate with Justin Gregg to identify the contractor or hauling plan, and requested Adams provide a status update at the commission's February meeting.
Commissioners emphasized the county's preference that burns be planned with on-site extinguishing capability and notification to dispatch, per the county's 2022 burning resolution. Commissioners also said any waiver should be limited to a single cleanup and not set a precedent for ongoing fee waivers. Adams said he would try to shred smaller material and haul larger stumps or roots to the landfill and that he would provide an update in February.
Ending: County staff will coordinate logistics with Adams and the landfill director; the commission expects a status update at the February meeting and will revisit if the cleanup becomes an ongoing series of hauls.
