County proposes limited hours and business licensing to control mulch site after flood debris surge; Cumberland offers partial operating aid

County staff proposed a revised operating plan for the county mulch site to address increased commercial use and flood debris needs. Andrew Cowan's review informed the plan, which Adam (public works) presented to commissioners.

The proposal would restore seasonal and limited weekday gate closure: keep the site open for residential and business drop‑off during business hours Monday–Thursday (for example, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.) and leave it open all weekend. Staff proposed spot camera monitoring and occasional checks to discourage misuse, and suggested offering commercial operators the option to buy a county license and receive a key for year‑round access if they commit to responsible use.

Adam said the county reached out to the City of Cumberland (Raquel Ketterman) and that Cumberland indicated willingness to contribute up to 25% of operating costs, capped at $15,000 annually, for shared access, because Cumberland businesses use the site regularly. Adam also said Nexus (a private business expected to accept chipped material and produce biochar) will accept wood chips and will not charge the county; Nexus's expected operations reduce county disposal costs if the mulch site remains available.

A commissioner asked that the county consider a designated week for seasonal Christmas‑tree drop‑off so residents can continue that long-standing practice. Commissioners signaled support for moving forward with the revised operating plan and asked staff to include any required adjustments in the upcoming budget adoption; no formal vote was recorded at the work session.