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Commissioners hear materials management concerns: scale repairs and recycling shortfalls could mean higher rates
Summary
Board members were told the truck scale (Badger) needs repair and recycling programs are losing money; commissioners asked staff for cost estimates and discussed potential mandates that could require 3–4 collection centers and rate increases.
Commissioner Joel Keranen told the board on May 5 that the Badger truck scale used at the Materials Management site needs work and recommended trucks stop using the scale until repairs are completed; no repair cost was available at the session and Keranen asked staff to obtain quotes.
On recycling, Commissioner Gretchen Janssen said the county’s Materials Management Plan is being reviewed through WUPPDR and composting has been discussed. Commissioner Glenn Anderson warned that a future mandate could obligate the county to operate 3–4 centers based on population. "The County is currently losing money on recycling," Commissioner Keranen said, and he questioned where money to meet any new mandate would come from; the board noted the county has one more year under an automatic increase for raising rates.
Why it matters: repair of the truck scale affects operational capability at the materials site, and recycling deficits and potential mandates could require new investments or higher user rates. Commissioners asked Administrator Rheault and staff to get repair quotes and to return with options for managing recycling costs and compliance with regional mandates.
Next steps: staff to request quotes for scale repair, report on current maintenance history and present options to cover recycling shortfalls or meet mandated service levels.
