The Adams County Solid Waste Management District board worked through a full agenda during its May 19 meeting, covering financial updates, staffing changes, tire‑disposal pricing, brush grinding, and long‑term capital planning for the district’s main facility.
Financial Review
Board members approved April and May claims and payrolls after reviewing the district’s April 30 financial sheet. The operating fund showed $904,642, with an additional $3,610 in the reserve fund and $1,537 in savings. Investments totaled $65,057. Transfer‑station revenue reached $243,449 year‑to‑date, slightly ahead of last year’s pace. Recyclables brought in $12,582, just under last year’s total. Trust balances stood at $337,512 for the landfill trust and $83,502 for the transfer‑station trust.
Brush Grinding
This year’s spring brush‑grinding project took longer in Decatur due to a large pile and additional stump‑grinding work. Hours logged by location included 36.3 hours in Decatur, 8.7 in Berne, 3.8 in Geneva, and 2.1 in Monroe.
Mulch Removal
The contractor continues to haul away the finished mulch and reimburses the district for each load. Board members noted that Adams County’s mulch is cleaner than material from many other sites, making it more desirable to recycling partners. Last year’s total reimbursement was roughly $4,000, but the board did not have a per‑load figure available during the meeting.
Sewage Grinder Installation Progressing
Work on the new sewage‑grinder system is moving steadily. The line has already been run under the bypass, and contractors have identified the installation point for the grinder. Billing has begun at a reduced rate until the system is fully operational. The district continues to pump and test its separate septic pit annually, with wastewater samples reviewed by the city before disposal.
Tire‑Disposal Pricing Changes Ahead
The district’s former tire‑hauling vendor, Cobalt, has been sold to a new company. The new operator has increased charges for tires that still have rims attached. The district currently charges residents exactly what it pays the vendor, with no markup. New rim‑related costs include:
- $2 extra for medium tires
- $4 extra for semi tires
- $10 extra for tractor tires
Because these changes fall outside the district’s existing rate resolution, a new resolution will be drafted for board approval at a future meeting.
Roof Replacement Likely for 2027 Budget
The district is preparing for a major facility expense: replacing or recoating the main building’s roof. A previous estimate came in around $60,000, and costs are expected to rise. A safety concern also surfaced — the building’s skylights are unmarked and blend in with the roof panels, creating a fall hazard for anyone walking the roof. The director plans to gather updated quotes from two roofing companies and include the project in the 2027 budget.
Future Asphalt Work
The board also discussed planning for a full asphalt top‑coat of the facility’s drive and approach in 2028, following years of patching and crack‑sealing.
Electronics Recycling Contract Transition
Electronics recycler Vance Eaglebarger, who has handled the district’s electronics since 2011, is retiring. A new individual is considering taking over his operation. The board authorized the director to sign a new agreement under the same terms if the transition moves forward. Electronics drop‑off remains free, except for old CRT televisions, which still cost 30 cents per pound to dispose of through GreenWave in Indianapolis.