Committee votes to reinstate hauler permits, raises per-vehicle fee to $100

The Adams County Solid Waste Committee voted July 14 to reinstate county hauler permits and raise the per-vehicle permit fee to $100.

Staff told the committee that hauler permits had not been issued since 2021 and that the county discovered haulers were bringing out-of-county tonnage without required permits. Reuben said the fee and permitting program are intended both to enforce the county ordinance and to protect landfill revenue and public health.

Reuben pointed to county ordinance language requiring haulers to be permitted and to deliver collected county waste to the Adams County landfill, and said the ordinance includes graduated penalties for violations. "All permitted private and or commercial haulers ... shall deliver garbage... to the county landfill site unless the hauler has entered into a light tonnage agreement with Adams County," he said when describing ordinance language.

Supervisors asked how many active permits exist (staff said none), whether the $100 charge is per vehicle or per company (staff said per truck or dump trailer), and how enforcement would work. Reuben said the county will document suspected violators, notify DNR if a hauler lacks a state license, and can use permit information and local law enforcement to help enforce compliance. Staff also said letters and vendor outreach would precede enforcement to avoid surprising businesses.

Supervisor Gilner moved to raise the permit fee to $100 per vehicle; Supervisor Carlson seconded. Chair called for a voice vote; the motion carried. The committee did not record a roll-call vote.

Staff said implementation will be gradual to allow haulers time to comply and that administrative staff are compiling vendor lists and outreach letters. Committee members expressed interest in a grace period and clarity about enforcement processes before strict penalties are applied.