Shelby County, Memphis and suburbs advance funding plan for permanent household hazardous-waste facility

County and municipal leaders moved forward a plan to share costs for a permanent household hazardous-waste dropoff center located at Shelby Farms.

At a committee session Aug. 5, the parliamentarian read an ordinance (first reading) proposing intergovernmental agreements among Shelby County and several municipalities to establish and coordinate annual funding for the facility. Darren Sanders, Shelby County’s county engineer, explained that the suburban municipalities would be charged $0.25 per resident per year while Shelby County and the City of Memphis would each pay $50,000 annually.

"The facility is located at Shelby Farms. It opened up in 2007," Sanders said, describing operations and the items accepted. He said the facility is open three days a week — Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday — and that residents may bring motor fluids, cooking oils, propane tanks and herbicides free of charge.

The ordinance is intended to formalize a cost-sharing arrangement so the service can remain free for residents. Sanders told commissioners the funding agreement helps keep disposal free at the point of use and that the county would "be happy to answer any questions."

With no additional committee questions, the item was brought to a vote and recorded as moving forward to the full commission on Monday with a favorable recommendation.

Next steps: The ordinance proceeds to the commission for final action; the committee also considered a companion procurement to hire a contractor for waste collection and disposal (see related article on the Clean Harbors piggyback contract).