During a recent government meeting, officials discussed several pressing issues related to waste management and facility security. A significant concern was the recent increase in criminal activity at the transfer facility, where unauthorized individuals broke in to steal scrap metal. This incident, which occurred early in the morning, involved the perpetrators accessing the facility by pushing a button to open the overhead door after breaking in. The authorities have been notified, and the sheriff's department is involved in addressing these criminal acts.

In addition to theft, officials reported a troubling rise in illegal dumping, particularly of hazardous waste. Over the past three weeks, an employee has removed approximately $100 worth of hazardous materials, doubling the total for the year to $250. To combat this issue, the facility plans to enhance monitoring efforts to ensure proper disposal of hazardous items.

Financial implications were also a key topic, as Marathon County announced an 8% increase in tipping fees for 2025, which will raise local expenses by $34,000. To offset this increase, officials plan to raise the gate rate for tipping fees to $79 per ton and the municipal rate to $70 per ton, marking a $1.75 increase from previous budgets.

On a more positive note, GFL has resumed recycling services after resolving contamination issues that had previously halted their operations. This development is expected to increase the volume of materials processed at the facility, necessitating additional hauling efforts.

Overall, the meeting highlighted ongoing challenges in waste management, including security concerns and financial adjustments, while also noting improvements in recycling operations.