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Should trash from outside county be allowed?

A trash can of worms was opened Monday when Marion County Commission discussed options regarding out-of-county solid waste.

Interim transfer station manager Rollin Schmidt reported to the commission that a city had informed Schmidt that it was considering providing trash pickup services and wanted to bring the refuse to the county's transfer station.

County clerk Carol Maggard told Schmidt she would need a list of households and businesses that would be participating to charge an annual fee similar to solid waste fees charged to county residents which would be more than amount county residents currently pay.

After much discussion, the commission determined there were two separate issues — the city's responsibility to pick up the trash and the county's responsibility, if so desired, to dispose of it.

Schmidt asked the board if it wanted out-of-county trash. Commission chairman Dan Holub responded "trash is trash."

However, Commissioner Randy Dallke said he didn't know if it was fair for county residents to pay for the disposal of out-of-county trash.Maggard said there was some out-of-county trash already being accepted.

Schmidt will contact the city with the information provided by Maggard and report at a later date.

In other business:

— County economic development secretary Teresa Huffman requested permission to use a county-owned bus for tourism promotions.

County emergency communications director Michele Abbott-Becker said the bus was given to the county by the City of Hillsboro as a command center for emergencies or disasters but the county now used a trailer for those purposes.

Huffman credited Marion Chamber of Commerce Secretary Margo Yates with the idea of using a bus for tour groups and could be used in the entire county.

The commission said it was open to the idea and for Huffman to seek estimates.

— Schmidt asked for direction regarding the possible procurement of a machine to cut rubber tires. Currently the transfer station collects the tires and pays for disposal.

He had checked with other transfer stations and found most cut the tires and haul to landfills because it was cheaper.

A machine that would cut the tires in quarters would cost $6,500, Schmidt said, and it would increase the county's cost $37 per ton to dispose.

Dallke asked Schmidt the amount paid in 2006 for tire disposal. Schmidt said he would check and report at a later date.

— Abbott-Becker informed the commission that some fire chiefs have requested automatic mutual aid for structure fires. She said all departments had been in agreement to participate and need to understand that if they are automatically dispatched, there could be some additional costs to volunteers for the runs.

— The commission instructed Abbott-Becker to obtain bids for dispatcher chairs and a copy machine. She said she will give $20,000-$25,000 to the general fund at the end of the year.

She also made a request that $5,000-$7,000 per year be reserved for a new emergency management vehicle to replace a 1993 Suburban with more than 200,000 miles. Currently there is $10,000 reserved.

— A new Smartboard and projector system will be installed in the commission room.

— Road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet requested and received permission to obtain bids and purchase two truck tires.

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