Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Disaster Response topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Greene County commissioners waive landfill fee after resident describes barn fire
Summary
During public comment, a Greene County resident described losing equipment and household items in a barn fire and asked the board to waive a landfill fee. The commissioners moved, seconded and approved the waiver by voice vote. Commissioners also discussed exploring a county policy for disaster assistance in the future.
Theresa Birch, a Greene County resident, told the Board of Commissioners that a recent barn fire destroyed a number of items and asked the board to waive the county landfill disposal fee. “My name’s Theresa Birch,” she said during the board’s public-comment period, describing the loss and asking the board to “waive this landfill fee.”
The board moved and voted to waive the fee by voice vote; Chairman Benny Heath announced, “The ayes have it. The motion is carried.” The motion was brought forward and supported by multiple commissioners during the meeting.
County officials and commissioners discussed whether the county should create a formal policy for assisting residents after fires or similar disasters. The county manager said disaster response typically follows FEMA and state emergency-management guidance and noted that if arson were proven, insurance would likely be the primary avenue of recovery; he also said staff could research whether a local assistance policy would be appropriate.
Birch said she lost generators, power tools and decorations; the precise dollar value of her losses was not specified. Commissioners and staff thanked first responders for their service to residents and noted the emotional impact of fires on affected families.
Action: The board approved a motion to waive the landfill/disposal fee for the resident’s destroyed property by voice vote (motion carried).
