Faced with declining revenues, the Wood County Solid Waste Management District is in the process of establishing a fee on locally-generated waste transported to landfills in other counties.

The Wood County commissioners have held a required public hearing to consider a resolution that implements what is called “flow control designation” for the county landfill near Bowling Green and the Evergreen Landfill in Northwood.

The 50 largest solid waste generators in the county were notified last month of the district’s intent and a public comment period on the proposed $2 per ton fee begins May 11.

Albin Bauer, legal counsel for the district, said the fee would help the district “level the playing field.”

“The problem it intends to address is that recycling and solid waste programs performed by the district are currently funded with a $2 a ton disposal fee that is collected at two facilities in Wood County: the Wood County Landfill and the Evergreen Landfill. A substantial amount of solid waste generated within Wood County is being delivered in annually increasing  amounts to facilities located outside Wood County and thereby avoiding the $2 a ton fee that funds the district’s programs, “ Bauer said, adding the result is the two in-county landfills are at a disadvantage to out-of-county facilities.

According to district figures, an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 tons of waste is disposed outside the district annually.

Ken Rieman, district director, last week said revenue from fees in 2010 reached approximately $782,000, but he is projecting it will only reach $600,000 this year based on collections the first two months of the year.

“The plan is to further reduce expenditures while utilizing the designation fee monies to replace some of the reduced revenue,” he said. “In the past, and even currently, some communities’ waste materials go to landfills outside Wood County and do not pay fees to support local solid waste programs. Those communities still received grants in order to meet state mandated requirements. These communities will now pay an equal share in supporting solid waste district programs. The ability to level the playing field so everybody pays a fair share did not exist the last time fees were adjusted.”

He attributed the drop in revenue partially to economic conditions.  The Evergreen Landfill has especially realized a decrease in out-of-county waste being disposed at the site.  Waste from outside the district is charged a $4 a ton fee – twice the local fee.

In the wake of declining revenues, the district has stopped funding the health department solid waste inspection program and the sheriff’s department litter collection program, Rieman said.  Grants for improving roadways near landfills and to purchase equipment such as leaf vacuums and wood chippers have also been suspended.

“Some of the programs currently funded are the $1 per capita payment to all local communities to support residential recycling and payment of transportation costs for rural weekend recycling collection trailers,” Rieman said. “Collection of recyclables from all Wood County schools, waste audits for industrial customers, and an education and awareness program for schools and businesses are also currently funded programs. These are base programs required to meet state requirements and comply with the district’s Ohio EPA-approved solid waste plan.”

The Ohio Revised Code sets a fine of up to $5,000 per day for violations of the designation policy.

Bauer said it will be the obligation of the out-of-county facilities receiving the waste to inform the Wood County district but haulers may also be fined for violations.

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