The Nelsonville City Council discussed a resolution to approve the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste Management Plan and the city’s current financial situation.
The resolution would approve a plan by the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District to raise a generation fee by $3 per ton to build a material recovery facility, which would provide recycling services.
The fee translates to about 46 cents per household per month, said Bob Baughman, a local resident and candidate for Athens County Commissioner.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency requires each district to revise their plan every five years. If all counties in the district and 60 percent of the population do not approve the plan, the EPA creates one for them without planning for funding, said Roger Bail, manager of the waste district.
“If the state were to come in, that cost could go up to $12 per household,” said Baughman.
Bail said the generation fee would fund approved resources including recycling, education, and actual implementation the plan.
“It’s going to be considerably more expensive if the EPA comes in and makes the plan,” said councilman Eddie VanBibber.
In addition to the Management Plan, council discussed the current financial issues the city is facing.
Sue Powell, Nelsonville City Auditor, said the total of all funds broke even last year, mainly because the Water and Sewer Departments were able to keep their expenses down, the general fund lost $283,598.
“The city went $283,000 into carry over funds, which is still a major concern,” said Powell, who is worried most about the general and street funds.
Powell urged council members to start thinking about options for saving money, including implementing a volunteer fire department and possible layoffs. The city is looking to reduce operating costs by $500,000, she said.
Although the city is hurting financially, City Manager Joseph Scherer has plans to revitalize Nelsonville’s traffic lights — which currently use fluorescent bulbs — with money-saving LED bulbs.
“We’ve already ordered some new LED bulbs,” said Scherer, “As the old fluorescent bulbs go out, we’ll be replacing them with new LED ones.”
Ohio Department of Transportation representatives, Steve Williams and Debbie Fought, were scheduled to comment at Monday’s meeting, but were rescheduled for Feb. 13. They will be updating council on the Nelsonville bypass.
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