Committee approves solid‑waste financing ordinance after haulers press for transparency

The Planning & Policy Committee voted to forward a resolution adopting an Ottawa County solid‑waste financing ordinance that would assess a per‑ton user/hauler fee to fund ongoing landfill remediation and county materials management programs.

The ordinance prompted a lengthy presentation from county staff and an extended exchange with waste‑hauler representatives. Kim Walters, environmental public health supervisor, reviewed the county’s environmental sustainability program, drop‑off locations and the transition from a “solid waste plan” to a materials management approach that emphasizes reuse and recycling. Pat Stasich, public utilities director for the Ottawa County Road Commission, reviewed the history and current technical challenges at the Southwest Ottawa County Landfill, including long‑term groundwater remediation obligations and capital improvements the county now faces.

Republic Services’ Tom Mahoney, general manager, told the committee he was told administration expected revenues of “about a million and a half,” questioned whether the proposed ordinance would impose ongoing expenses beyond one‑time events, and said the draft would “put a burden on the disposal sites to be tax collectors.” He urged the committee to wait for the Materials Management Planning Committee’s formal recommendation before moving forward. Russ Borisma of Aerrow Waste asked for a transparent budget and an annual report so haulers can explain any new charge to customers: “We just want clarity and some transparency with that with a budget that this fee would use and also an annual report that this fee would have that shows how much is collected that shows where it’s being spent,” he said.

County staff and proponents framed the ordinance as a choice about how the region will pay for legacy cleanup and current materials‑management services. A county official described the policy choice this way: either general taxpayers continue to fund legacy costs or the county shifts a portion of the burden to the solid‑waste community that deposits material in Ottawa County. Staff also described a two‑year true‑up process for the fee so assessments are reviewed biennially.

Committee members debated the balance between protecting county taxpayers and imposing costs on haulers and outside generators. Several commissioners said the fee is modest on a per‑person basis if distributed across a county population, while haulers warned that any fee should be accompanied by clear public reporting. The ordinance discussion also included technical questions about state landfill fees and the county’s obligations under the Superfund designation for the Southwest landfill.

By roll call, the committee approved forwarding the ordinance to the full Board of Commissioners. Vote: Mr. Tles, yes; Mr. Kyers, yes; Mr. Jordma, yes; Mrs. Mima, no; Mr. Bonama, yes; Mrs. Wel, no; Mr. Barry, yes (tally 5–2). The item will also appear on the Materials Management Planning Committee agenda for additional input before final board action.

Next steps: the ordinance will move to the full board, and staff said they will continue engagement with the Materials Management Planning Committee and haulers. The committee did not adopt additional reporting language at today’s meeting beyond staff commitments to follow up.