Martin County court approves solid-waste proposals, readies ordinance and transfer-center plan

Martin County fiscal court on March 20 accepted negotiated solid-waste service proposals and approved moving forward with a new ordinance and oversight board set to begin meetings in April. The court said the proposals cover district residential routes and include commercial rates.

Judge (identified in the record as the county judge) explained that the proposed ordinance is intended to provide oversight of contractor behavior and billing and is not meant to harm low-income households. He said haulers agreed to periodic transfer-center weekends – during which the county and participating organizations will help residents bring large items – and that haulers will assist free of charge on those days. The judge added the haulers also agreed to issue account numbers for each household so the county can track who is in the system and who is paying.

Under the proposals presented: district 2 service would be handled by Brian Blankenship at $15.40 per month; districts 4 and 5 by Bill Vanover at $16.50 per month; districts 1 and 3 by Rosa Moore at $15 per month; and commercial service at the bid rates presented for House Recycling. The judge said the court had previously rejected earlier bid proposals and subsequently negotiated terms with current haulers.

Eric (county staff) confirmed the board enforcing the ordinance is prepared to begin meeting in April. The court approved acceptance of the proposals by voice vote.

The judge emphasized the intent is cleanup and assistance, not punitive measures, and said the court will work with road crews and community organizations to support the transfer-center weekends.

The next procedural steps are enactment of the ordinance, the first meeting of the enforcement board in April, and implementation of the account-number system to begin tracking service and payment status.