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Osage County to hold public meeting on recycling as commissioners weigh exiting Lake Region
Summary
Commissioners discussed rising recycling costs, contamination of materials and options including leaving the Lake Region authority, buying equipment such as a baler or compactor, and scheduled a public evening meeting to collect community input.
Osage County Commissioners on Sept. 2 moved to hold an evening public meeting to discuss the county’s recycling program after staff outlined growing costs, contaminated loads and options for the program’s future.
Solid-waste and transfer-station staff reported that cardboard collection and processing have become more expensive and difficult since a regional facility closed. Staff cited roughly $79,000 in annual operating costs tied to recycling — an amount that does not include occasional labor and transport spikes for large loads. Commissioners and staff said contamination (food-soiled cardboard, foil pans, toys and other non-recyclable items) increases processing time and expense because contaminated bales must be trucked to the landfill at additional cost.
County officials described Lake Region as a membership authority that helps secure grants, equipment and technical assistance but noted that the membership only covers certain programs and does not offset routine operating costs. Commissioners discussed three broad options: continue membership and try to renegotiate services; exit Lake Region and route recyclables differently; or invest in equipment such as a baler or compactor (staff estimated a high-end baler around $80,000). Several commissioners said they want tighter cost and tonnage figures available to present at a public hearing.
The commission directed staff to prepare more detailed numbers (tonnage by material, per‑month costs, transport and labor figures) and to move the regularly scheduled evening meeting to a date the board discussed as the "20‑third" (discussed in meeting as the 23rd) so the public can weigh in. Commissioners said they want the public’s input before committing to equipment purchases or a change in regional membership.
Ending
Commissioners asked staff to compile tighter operational figures and to be prepared to answer questions about tonnage, contamination rates and the likely budget impact of each option at the scheduled evening meeting.
