Supervisors debate termination steps for county recycling/transfer operator amid permit concerns

Supervisors spent an extended portion of the meeting examining the county’s operating agreement with the local recycling/transfer operator and whether the operator is breaching contract terms by using the site for vehicle storage and accepting materials that may violate permit conditions (SEG 1041–1640).

Multiple supervisors described seeing unlicensed vehicles and piles of material outside the fenced area and said that if the operator is taking materials prohibited by the county’s permit it could place the county in violation of DNR requirements. One supervisor urged issuing a termination letter with a specified effective date unless conditions were corrected; another recommended sending a written notice explaining specific breaches and allowing the operator a 30‑day cure period as provided in the agreement (SEG 1400–1496, SEG 1550–1560).

Staff noted the current agreement became effective on 09/26/2022 and that it includes a $1,600 monthly payment provision for the operator; board members said the interior of the facility was generally tidy but the area outside the east gate had deteriorated and contained numerous unlicensed vehicles (SEG 1123–1127, SEG 1568–1576). Supervisors discussed options including contacting Waste Management or Omega for a cost estimate to operate the facility, issuing a written notice to remove vehicles, and consulting the county attorney on formal termination procedures (SEG 1370–1376, SEG 1495–1505, SEG 1559–1566).

The board directed staff to inspect the site, bring documentation back to supervisors, and placed the item on the August 25 agenda for follow up. Several supervisors emphasized that they prefer a written notice and that if breaches continue the county should proceed with termination per the agreement’s notice and cure provisions (SEG 1636–1640).