Council approves 180‑day review after vote on dissolving Floyd County Solid Waste district

The Floyd County Council voted 4–3 on second reading to adopt Ordinance 2025‑09, which begins a 180‑day statutory review of whether to dissolve the Floyd County Solid Waste Management District. Councilors Matt Millies and Dale Bagshaw voted with two others in favor; Tony Toran, Denise Konkle and Jim Freiberger opposed the ordinance.

The decision drew several public comments urging the county to preserve recycling services and avoid job losses. Paige Adams asked, "how the ones that voted for the dissolution of Solid Waste sleep at night," raising concern about recycling workers who could lose employment if the district dissolves. Daryle Hensel cited higher recycling rates in Germany and questioned why local funds could not support recycling. Debbie Hackman, director of the Jackson County Solid Waste District, offered to "sit down with the committee to find other funding" and suggested alternatives such as a property special assessment used by some counties.

County Attorney Rick Fox told the body that the council vote "doesn't end where the County is going with Solid Waste. It just starts the 180‑day process to make a determination as what plan best fits the county," and noted the statute requires a public meeting after that review during which residents may speak. Commissioners and councilors debated the tradeoff between maintaining recycling as a public service and potential cost savings; Al Knable said private contractors and hazardous‑waste bids indicate possible savings of "20‑60%" on comparable pick up and estimated taxpayers could save "as much as $250,000.00 per year." Denise Konkle and Jim Freiberger said they wanted to see concrete alternatives and emphasized recycling's community value.

The council's approval moves the matter into the statutorily defined review period; a public meeting to consider final options is required at the end of that 180‑day window.