Commissioners ask staff to explore waiving landfill fees to remove rural dilapidated structures

Atchison County commissioners on July 7 asked staff to investigate creating a process to waive landfill dump fees for owners removing rural dilapidated structures, a step intended to make cleanup more affordable and improve rural roadsides.

The chair described a visible example on a hard-surface road and proposed allowing a process similar to city cost-share options that waive landfill fees for demolition related to nuisance properties. “How do you guys feel about having some type of a mechanism for rural dilapidated structures that need cleaned up to beautify the rural parts to also have that same opportunity for waived dump fees,” the chair asked.

Commissioner McNable supported the idea and said an application process would be needed to manage eligibility and that the county could adapt state procedures for local use. “A lot of times, it is just a matter of the finances and getting the help to remove the items from the property,” McNable said.

Commissioners emphasized they were not proposing county-funded demolition or matching grants; the discussion focused on waiving landfill fees only and creating clear procedures and an application. They suggested further study and placing a draft policy on a future agenda, with an implementation target of 2028.

Next steps: staff to explore options and draft a fee-waiver application and process to present to the commission for consideration.