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Riley County hazardous-waste official says stopping business waste intake would make budget flat
Summary
Mike Boller told the board the household-hazardous-waste program serves 10 adjacent counties and brings in about $150,000–$160,000 in reimbursements; he proposed stopping acceptance of business-generated waste to bring his request to a flat budget but warned of contract obligations and impacts on small businesses.
Mike Boller, who identified himself as representing Riley County Noxious Weed and Household Hazardous Waste, told commissioners that the program handles hazardous-waste collection for roughly 10 neighboring counties and is reimbursed by those jurisdictions and the state. Boller said the program brings in about $150,000–$160,000 per year in reimbursements that offset upfront costs and staff time.
Boller proposed one change that could reduce his requested budget to flat: stop accepting all business-generated waste (businesses that generate more than 50 pounds per month). He said that would lower his up-front budget obligations, though it would shift disposal responsibility to businesses (and possibly to a vendor at higher cost). Boller warned that eliminating the program entirely would breach county contracts with other counties and that many of the program’s services are highly used by residents, including medication take-back events and periodic Saturday collections.
Commissioners acknowledged the program’s high utilization and its political sensitivity; some said residents would be upset if the county curtailed the service. Boller agreed to provide more detail on the revenue/reimbursement flows and the contract obligations so the board can consider targeted reductions that avoid breaking inter-county agreements.
