Union County officials outline options to shore up solid-waste and EMS funding

Union County commissioners met Jan. 5 at the Ag Extension Facility for a regularly scheduled business meeting that included a town-hall segment focused on how to fund the county’s solid-waste and emergency medical services (EMS).

The board and county staff framed the problem in blunt terms: operating costs for solid waste and EMS have risen sharply while revenue from special assessments and host/tipping fees falls well short of expenses. "Last year's budget was $1,300,000," said Mr. Williams, the county staff member presenting budget figures, and he told the audience that special assessments collected roughly $312,000 while transfers from the general fund accounted for about $270,000 of the solid-waste fund. Commissioners said those sums leave a sizable operating gap.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the shortfall threatens service continuity unless the county acts. "If we don't stop the bleeding... out of our reserves, there will be no reserves," one commissioner told the hall, urging residents to weigh trade-offs between maintaining services and raising fees.

Options on the table

- Increase special assessments: Commissioners noted the last significant increases were decades ago and discussed phased or modest annual adjustments to spread cost impacts. Residents urged caution; Laurel Shafter, who spoke during public comment, asked the board to "table anything, any movements, permanent movement until after November 2026" so the county can see a full tax year before making permanent changes.

- Impact fees for new construction: Staff proposed a one-time impact fee on new permits as a way to fund capital purchases such as ambulances. "If the board elected to do a $1,500 impact fee on new construction permits ... that would give the county enough money every two years to purchase one ambulance," Mr. Williams said, while noting impact fees may not be used for ongoing operating costs.

- Differential charging and enforcement at landfill sites: Residents and commissioners discussed requiring stickers or ID at county collection sites, using cameras, and charging non-residents or commercial users higher fees to discourage out-of-county dumping. Commissioners cited nearby counties’ sticker programs and results reported by the Solid Waste Association.

- Other revenue sources and efficiencies: The board discussed reallocating non-obligated reserves or transfers (for example, earlier contingency funds) to cover near-term grant matches and to bridge until structural changes take effect; staff also cited increased call volume and wage pressures as drivers of higher EMS operating costs.

EMS strain and call volume

County data presented at the meeting showed call volume rising from roughly 1,600–1,700 annual calls in 2019 to nearly 2,700–3,000 more recently. Commissioners said the county currently operates two full-time ambulances and is "on the edge" of needing a third ambulance and associated personnel. They also noted that operating a staffed ambulance can require substantial recurring funds for salaries, maintenance and supplies, which impact fees cannot legally cover.

What the board acted on

- The board approved routine procedural items and several budget-related motions by unanimous vote, including adoption of the meeting agenda and approval of the finance report. The commission also adopted a corrected budget amendment (BA-26-02) to fix prior accounting for opioid-settlement funds and a separate budget amendment (BA-26-03) to provide a $23,004.38 cash match for a courthouse preservation grant (staff said part of that match may be reduced by in-kind contributions). The board voted to approve the phase-2 scope of work for courthouse window restoration and to sign a first amendment to an interlocal agreement with CareerSource that changes quorum rules and paves the way for a local office.

Next steps and public engagement

Commissioners said this town-hall series will include five meetings around the county and that staff would return with more detailed options and formal proposals after staff compiles additional data and hears from residents across districts. The board emphasized that impact fees, special-assessment changes or enforcement measures will be carefully tailored to state statute and limited by what the county is legally permitted to do. The commission adjourned at about 8:08 p.m.

Quotes sourced from the meeting transcript are attributed to speakers on the county record.