County officials address strains, transfer station costs, and satellite site violations

At a recent public meeting, Scott County Commissioners outlined pressing budget issues and growing concerns surrounding the management of the local transfer station and its satellite trash collection sites.

Commissioner Greg Prince discussed the county’s financial status, referencing a net loss of over $100,000 related to solid waste services. Officials emphasized that the county operates many of its essential services—such as the courthouse, EMS, jail, and health department—on a slim portion of tax revenue. “The county only receives 0.14% of your taxes,” president

Randy Julian stated, highlighting how 49% of local property taxes go to schools while the sheriff’s office takes up another 14% of the county’s limited share.

Complicating matters further, officials warned that upcoming property tax cuts mandated by the state would likely worsen revenue shortfalls, with uncertain implications for county services.

To address the financial imbalance, the county is moving toward charging more accurately for trash disposal through scaled measurements. Officials noted that disposal would cost about 5 cents per pound, or roughly $100 per ton, and they plan to add a 30% markup to cover overhead expenses such as lighting, staffing, and equipment repairs.

Attention then turned to operational issues at the satellite collection sites. Photos shared during the meeting revealed leaking hydraulic fluid, trash runoff—known as “leachate”—and improper disposal practices. One incident involved waste being compacted and pushed directly onto concrete due to a missing container, raising environmental and regulatory concerns.

“These images weren’t taken to target anyone,” Julian clarified. “Once I heard the community was upset about potential closures, I began documenting the problems to show why we need to act.”

As the county seeks to stabilize its waste management operations, officials underscored the need for better equipment, accountability, and transparent budgeting to avoid violations and preserve services for residents.