Levy County raises solid-waste assessment to $1.40 amid public accusations of landfill mismanagement

The Levy County Board of County Commissioners approved an increase in the solid-waste assessment from $1.16 to $1.40 per unit following a contentious public hearing in which multiple residents alleged the landfill was not accounting for recyclables and scrap-metal revenue.

Public commenters raised specific allegations: Sean Wolford said the landfill “should be making almost $5,000,000 a year” from scrap metal and recycling and urged the board to hold haulers accountable; David Sharp and others demanded an accounting and better ID/enforcement to prevent out-of-county commercial haulers from using county facilities without proper tracking. Linda Cooper directly urged the board either to rescind the assessment or terminate landfill director Benny Jarrells, accusing long-term mismanagement.

County staff and commissioners replied that ID protocols had been implemented to distinguish county residents, and staff agreed to provide deposits and recycling-accounting details on social media and in follow-up reports. After the public comment and discussion about operational improvements, the board moved, seconded and approved the $1.40 assessment by voice vote.