As mandated by state legislation, the Richland County Regional Solid Waste Management Authority (RCRSWMA) has formulated a 5-year solid waste management plan that will project the system’s finances roughly 15 years ahead.
Richland County Regional Solid Waste Management District Executive Director Ken Bender met with the Richland County commissioners Tuesday morning to disclose the plan and stated that it is basically the same as the current plan in which RCRSWMA is operating under.
Already, the Richland County Solid Waste Board sent a rough draft of the plan to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last September. The EPA reviewed the plan and advised the board to make modifications in four areas. Bender said that the changes were minor and concerned such things as population.
When the board initially met to update the plan, they decided to keep the existing programs and make some of them optional. Bender stated, “Under our current 2007 plan, there are certain areas, such as the collection facility on National Parkway, which are in the plan. Under the new plan, that’s optional funding. That is not the intent [to cut funding for that facility], but it’s just that we wanted to have some options under this economy rather than stating, ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for the next five years.”
The board did not raise any generation fees or add any tipping fees to the plan. Currently, generation fees total to $7.50 per ton (strictly for Richland County generated waste).
The plan also includes cautionary measures if the only operating landfill in Richland County (the Noble Road landfill operated by Rumpke Sanitary Landfill) were to close, in which case the generation fees could increase by $4.50 per ton. This raise in fees would compensate for the lost funds that are accumulated from the district or out-of-state fees, which make up approximately 40% of the RCRSWA’s $1.2 million budget. Bender added, “Our proposed plan gives us options, such as the collection facility, or S.C.R.A.P. trailer, which could be cut back on before increasing the generation fee.”
Starting Aug. 10, the board was authorized for a 30-day public review and comment period, during which time anyone in the public can obtain a copy of the plan from the board. There are also CD’s and hard copies located in the Mansfield Richland County Public Library, the Shelby Marvin Memorial Public Library, the Richland County commissioners’ office, and it can be found online at www.richlandrecycles.com.
Within 15 days after the 30-day period, the board must hold a public hearing. The tentative date is Sept. 11. If are no changes, the board may approve the plan by resolution at that time, then it goes out to all legislative authorities in Richland County: the Richland County commissioners, the three city councils, six village councils, and 18 townships. The board needs 75% approval by all of the entities that respond.
Commissioner Ed Olson stated, “Basically, the plan you’re telling people to review is not that different from what they would have looked at five years ago.”
Bender followed by stating, “Quite honestly, the Richland County Solid Waste offers more opportunities than any other district our size. We’re in education, we have the community S.C.R.A.P. trailer, we partner with the schools, and we have a collection facility. For the size of this authority or district, we offer a lot.”
Commissioner Ed Olson stated, “Basically, the plan you’re telling people to review is not that different from what they would have looked at five years ago.”
