Hallettsville asks county to consider options for keeping city transfer station open to county residents

The City of Hallettsville told the commissioners on Sept. 23 that its transfer station near County Road 201 is used primarily by county residents and that the city is reconsidering the facility as it moves to a bulk‑pickup model for municipal solid waste.

Grace Ward, Hallettsville city administrator, said nearly 97% of the transfer‑station users in 2024 were county residents and asked whether Lavaca County wants the facility to remain open to the public. Ward outlined three options for the court to consider: 1) have the city negotiate directly with the contractor to keep the site open and charge disposal fees to users; 2) have the county reimburse the city for labor and hauling costs; or 3) enter an interlocal agreement under which the county would run or staff the transfer station.

Commissioners asked for more information — including vendor names, detailed cost breakdowns and what prices would need to be charged to make the site fully citizen‑funded — and requested a follow‑up meeting. Ward said 2024 labor reimbursements to the private contractor were $17,851 and collections from residents were $18,859; she said the city’s estimate to maintain current service levels if the city paid hauling directly would be about $30,000 per year. The court took no formal action and asked staff to coordinate a meeting with city and county officials and local waste providers.

Why it matters: The transfer station is one of two county‑area drop‑off points (the other located in Yoakum); any change in its status would affect access to non‑burnable disposal for county residents and could shift costs to the county general fund or to residents’ trash bills.