Oneida County panel directs staff to draft policy on fee waivers for high school trades program

Chairman Ted Cushing directed staff to draft a policy to govern potential tipping‑fee waivers for school trade programs after the Oneida County Solid Waste Committee reviewed a request on May 18, 2026.

Lisa Bauknecht, Solid Waste Director, presented a request involving Perfectly Built, Lakeland High School and Lakeland Disposal asking the county to donate tonnage by waiving tipping fees for a limited number of donated dumpsters to support the high school trades program. Bauknecht said Lakeland Disposal’s Chad Metzger approached the county to offer participation on behalf of the private hauler and the school.

Committee members debated the merits. Committee member Kyle Timmons said he was concerned that approving a waiver now could set a precedent leading to similar requests from other organizations or nonprofits. Chairman Ted Cushing agreed that the county should be cautious about precedent. Committee member Billy Fried said he viewed the partnership with local schools as a positive way to support workforce development and encouraged exploring reasonable limits.

Rather than approve a one‑off waiver, the committee directed Bauknecht to draft a written policy for committee review that would define eligible programs, acceptable materials, and any limits on donated tonnage or frequency of waivers. Bauknecht was asked to return the draft at the next meeting for further discussion.