White County says Waste Management accepted landfill liability; site entrance to move to Highway 136

White County officials told the Solid Waste Committee that Waste Management has accepted a release of liability for the county’s Class 1 and Class 3 landfills, removing about $8.1 million in potential taxpayer burden.

County staff reported the county received a release for the Class 1 site “right at $7,200,000” and for the Class 3 site “right at $900,000,” and that documents were signed on the fourth of the month. The announcement was made during a standing committee meeting; the county described the change as final between the county and Waste Management.

County staff said the release reduces long-term county liability tied to those landfill classes. Committee members asked for operational updates. Staff said they are holding an operational-transition meeting this week and predicted December “looks like it’s a viable date” for accepting increased volume at the new site. Staff also told the committee the site entrance will be relocated to Highway 136 and that work on the building and site expansion will follow; officials estimated the entrance move would occur in the next three to four months.

Committee members and staff discussed next steps for site preparation. Staff said a portion of funds will be used for architecture, engineering, building construction and site development. They also said some money will be placed in the sanitation fund balance to comply with state budget reporting requirements. No formal vote to authorize construction contracts was recorded at the meeting; county staff said the projects will go to bid when engineering and soil testing are complete.

Public commenters and committee members asked about convenience-center operations and tires collection; staff said the county intends to move the convenience-center functions as part of the site transition. The committee set calendar and follow-up dates and did not adopt final construction contracts at the meeting.