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Medina County commissioners back removing guaranteed Brunswick waiver from draft solid waste plan
Summary
On July 7, Medina County commissioners signaled support for revising the county raft Solid Waste Policy Plan to remove a guaranteed waiver for the City of Brunswick after concerns that Brunswick—onditions would raise costs and force an unfavorable renegotiation of the county—ontractor. The policy committee will decide the version submitted for public comment.
On July 7, 2026, the Medina County Board of Commissioners signaled support for amending the county raft Solid Waste Policy Plan to remove language that would have guaranteed a waiver allowing the City of Brunswick to direct up to 15,000 tons of its waste to an alternative facility. Commissioner Stephen D. Hambley said Brunswick—onditions were unacceptable and that accommodating them could raise the county—ontractor—ees and weaken the county—ontract position.
The change grew out of a Technical Advisory Committee nalysis in which the TAC narrowly voted 5-4-1 to include conditional language allowing Brunswick to divert up to 15,000 tons. When the Policy Committee later considered transmitting the draft plan to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the City of Brunswick voted against sending it forward because Brunswick sought an unconditional waiver, officials said. Commissioner Hambley directed the county consultant to revert the plan language to the 2021 approach that preserves a waiver process without guaranteeing one and to remove the contingent budget tied to the Brunswick scenario.
Why it matters: flow-control language affects which disposal facilities may receive Medina County waste, the county—ontract with its current hauler, and local market competition among commercial and independent haulers. Preliminary discussions with the county—ontractor, Rumpke, indicated accommodating the unconditional Brunswick waiver would likely require renegotiating the Rumpke contract in ways the county finds unfavorable projected $3.15 per-ton increase to transfer, transport and disposal fees, a potential extension of the contract from 2033 to 2040, and removal of the 5% materials recovery guarantee, according to the presentation.
Commissioner Aaron M. Harrison said the TAC ecision was the product of careful negotiation and expressed concern that dissolving flow control would disadvantage independent haulers and effectively cede the market to large commercial haulers. The board expressed consensus in favor of presenting the amended draft (without a guaranteed Brunswick waiver) to the policy committee, which will determine which version advances for public comment. The public comment period must be open by Sept. 1, 2026, under the timeline described at the meeting.
Solid Waste District Director Barb Walton told commissioners that enforcement of the county—xisting policy against accepting construction and demolition (C&D) debris at the transfer station has been stepped up to address contractor drop-off behavior that is overtaxing residential access. Walton said mixed loads with incidental C&D material are handled differently than loads brought specifically for C&D disposal, and the district is providing contractors lists of acceptable C&D facilities.
Next steps: The policy committee will decide which draft to post for public comment and will transmit the selected version to the EPA. Hambley said he had informed Medina Mayor Shields of the proposed revision. No formal vote was taken by the full Board of Commissioners; the policy committee retains authority to move the plan forward for public comment.
