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Commissioners consider ending recycling contractor after alleged thefts; county manager to return plan June 1
Summary
Commissioners heard reports of scrap‑metal losses and alleged improper actions at convenience sites, discussed pressing charges and possibly terminating the contract, and asked the county manager to return a plan on June 1 for transitioning recycling centers to county operation if needed.
County staff told commissioners May 20 that recycling centers and convenience sites are generating less revenue and that staff have documented incidents of vehicles leaving with scrap metal and other materials.
A commissioner (S1) described seeing a person loading a truck at a recycling site and said an attendant's 11‑year‑old son was operating a compactor at one location. "I believe it was the attendant...his 11 year old son was working the compactor," S1 said. The county manager (S3) said the county has confronted the contractor and warned the company that such actions are unlawful and unacceptable; staff have discussed pressing charges and are evaluating whether to end the contract if services cannot be replaced.
S3 said the county may need to bring the service in-house, but that would require hiring staff and training to avoid disrupting service. "We may need to do this ourselves, have our own employees, and let this contract service go," S3 said, adding that the county is studying how many part‑time positions would be required and how to operate sites without interruption.
S3 also highlighted revenue pressures: recycling sales and scrap-metal prices are down, and certain landfill activities (for example, dismantling mobile homes) cost far more than current fees recover. S3 said the county is also examining options for equipment—citing a compactor that could cost as much as $1,000,000—and other operational adjustments.
Next steps: S3 will return to the board on June 1 with a plan that outlines staffing needs, costs and a proposed timeline for any transition away from the current contractor.
