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Scotland County weighs ending recycling contractor amid theft reports and equipment needs
Summary
County staff told commissioners the landfill and convenience sites face falling recycle revenue, equipment needs and concerning reports about contractor performance (including alleged scrap-metal removal and an underage attendant incident); the manager said she may end the contract and prepare to hire county staff to operate sites if problems persist.
County Manager Snead told the board the county's Landfill/Recycling Centers are budgeted at $3,176,073 and are presently self-sustaining, but commissioners flagged operations concerns that could change that status.
Commissioner Ivey described observing metal being removed from convenience sites and reported an incident where an attendant allegedly allowed an 11-year-old to operate a compactor. "I saw metal being taken from convenience sites and put on trucks," Ivey said. Snead said she addressed the contractor the following Monday, called the behavior "unacceptable" and warned the county may press charges if violations continue.
Snead and Solid Waste staff (Mr. McGirt) told commissioners they are reviewing whether to terminate the contract; if the county brings operations in-house it will require hiring roughly five part-time workers, training them and ensuring coverage without service disruption. Commissioners asked staff to return at the June 1 meeting with a staffing and timeframe plan; the manager agreed to do so and to include liability considerations in light of the alleged child-safety violation.
The board also heard that recycling commodity revenues have declined and that major equipment purchases (including a compactor for the C&D hill) are being evaluated with financing options.
