Waste hauler suggests alternative to ordinance

The Perry County Board Friday agreed to allow Solid Waste Coordinator Becky Tracy to publish a proposed solid waste hauler's ordinance. The ordinance must be available to the public for 30 days before the board can approve it.

Tracy said that the earliest the board could vote would be the Nov. 7 meeting.

Tom Emling, owner of Big Dawg Disposal in Du Quoin, asked the board to consider alternatives to a $50 sticker for landfill users in the proposed ordinance.

He had six truck and would pay $300 a year for the stickers. Emling said that in other counties, only the operations inside the county pay for stickers. Others don't.

He estimated the county received roughly $25,000 of the fees he paid to the landfill last year.

"I'd rather sponsor a recycling event," Emling said. He suggested an electronic, chemical or tire clean-up. It might cost more than the stickers, but he'd prefer that.

He added that single stream recycling would be the best solution for the county. Single-stream means residents don't have to sort their recyclables. All material to be recycled goes in one bin. Emling suggested a committee study the idea. He might be willing to build a recycling facility.

"I don't have to get rich on it," Emling said. "I just don't want to go broke."

The board agreed to consider his suggestions.

In other business, the board:

• passed a resolution approving the Illinois EPA solid waste enforcement grant for the year. The county will receive $36,168.

• heard from Bill Taylor that the county could replace all of the lights in the government building for $2,800, which would be made up in savings the first year. He plans to present more information at the next regular meeting.