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Sanitation director warns Brunswick waiver could shift $725,000 and trigger EPA rewrite of county plan
Summary
Sanitation representative Neil Coley told the committee the county's Solid Waste District plan (2027–2042) requires 75% approval from political subdivisions, and that Brunswick is seeking a 15,000-ton waiver that could lead to a veto and an EPA-authored rewrite; Coley said the waiver would shift fees and uncertainly for other jurisdictions.
Neil Coley, representing Medina’s sanitation/service operations, briefed the Health, Safety and Sanitation Committee on operational numbers, upcoming purchases and a county plan rewrite that could affect local costs.
Coley said the department moved to a full‑time staffing model and has invested in equipment such as a recently delivered rear loader and a used 2024 carrier truck that is on the council agenda as a cost-saving purchase. He said tip fees are currently $55 per ton and are proposed to rise to $58 by 2028.
On tonnage and diversion, Coley gave year-to-date figures for 2025 and recent years: about 25,000 tons of organic trash in 2025 to date versus roughly 26,000 tons the prior year, with a residential/commercial split he described as roughly 11,800 residential versus about 13,000 commercial tons. He said nearly 1,600 tons of food waste were diverted to a facility in Canton and noted increases in cardboard collection.
Coley’s principal policy alert concerned the county Solid Waste District plan rewrite covering 2027–2042. He said the plan must be approved by political subdivisions and that 75% of those jurisdictions must pass it for EPA approval; because Brunswick is the most populous city, he said its position effectively matters above that threshold. Coley warned that Brunswick is seeking a 15,000‑ton waiver to route organics elsewhere and that the city’s counsel has indicated Brunswick might veto the plan. “If Brunswick ultimately vetoes it,” he said, “what’ll happen is the EPA writes it, and no one really knows the outcome,” adding the potential that the waiver would remove about $725,000 in fees that currently support the district.
Coley said council members will have opportunities to discuss the plan with the county and that presentations by the county are expected in the fall, leading to a 2027 vote. He encouraged the council to weigh in during the rewrite process.
No formal action or vote on the county plan occurred at the committee meeting; Coley flagged the topic as an upcoming agenda item for council consideration.
