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Recycling grant authorization fails amid questions on revenue; court votes to reopen negotiations with haulers
Summary
A motion to let the County Judge sign a $62,910 recycling grant request failed 3–3 after debate about program costs and accounting. Later the court voted to reopen negotiations with garbage contractors and the city about curbside recycling.
A proposal to authorize the County Judge to sign a roughly $62,910 recycling grant application failed on a 3–3 roll call at the Fiscal Court meeting June 17, after an extended discussion about recycling center operating costs, grant requirements and conflicting revenue figures.
Magistrate Travis moved to authorize the Judge to sign the grant application to purchase one new baler, three 14‑foot pull‑behind trailers and mesh box containers. Supporters argued the equipment would expand recycling capacity; opponents questioned the county's in‑kind match and whether the county should instead pursue curbside recycling with private haulers. Treasurer Doug Williams said deposits recorded were about $11,613 year-to-date; Recycling coordinator Karen Spencer said she had reported $23,000 in sales and said volume had recently increased to about 2 tons of cardboard a day. The initial motion to authorize the Judge's signature failed on a roll call: Beaverson "aye"; Judge Riley "nay"; Travis "aye"; J. Moody "nay"; Brewer "aye"; M. Moody "nay".
After the grant motion failed, Magistrate Travis moved (seconded by Magistrate M. Moody) to reopen negotiations with any garbage contractor and the city to renegotiate the countywide garbage contract to include curbside recycling; that motion passed 5–1. Judge Riley argued bid specs and committee work should precede opening negotiations; supporters said delaying would lose momentum.
What happens next: The Solid Waste/109 Board and the Solid Waste committee were instructed to continue work; staff was asked to reconcile revenue reporting for recycling and to bring further procurement specifications or grant details to the court for approval.
Quote: "If they were collecting 2 tons of cardboard daily, they should have brought in $41,000.00," said Magistrate M. Moody, highlighting the revenue-reporting discrepancy; Treasurer Doug Williams said his deposits tallied $11,613.00 for the reported period.
Ending: The grant authorization did not proceed; the court approved reopening talks with haulers and tasked committees and staff to reconcile program finances and draft bid specifications.
