Scott County commissioners approved a revised Scott County Transfer Station Operations Plan and Emergency Response Plan on Oct. 8 and directed staff to close curbside satellite collection sites effective Nov. 1. The board also agreed to a remediation plan for visible contamination at the Lexington Township satellite site and to publicize the shutdown in advance.

County staff and Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) representatives told commissioners the county’s satellite sites — including the Lexington Township location — are not covered by the transfer station’s formal permit, but closure and remediation steps still must be coordinated. IDEM recommended the county set a public effective date and advertise the change so residents are not caught unaware. Commissioners directed staff to place notices at the courthouse, the transfer station and at the affected satellite sites and to run a public notice beginning in mid-October so the public is informed before the Nov. 1 shutdown date.

On remediation, staff said soil that shows contamination at the Lexington Township site should be excavated (six inches below and around visibly affected areas) and replaced with clean material. Commissioners authorized work to begin to address the contamination regardless of the broader satellite decision. The operations plan approved at the meeting incorporates previous commitments from the county’s qualified orders and adds requirements for site posting, notification and the remediation steps discussed with IDEM.

Commissioners and staff noted the financial challenges: the transfer station fund is under strain because disposal costs exceed sticker revenues and the county lacks budgeted dollars to continue operating all satellite sites in 2026. The board directed staff to prepare signage, coordinate the advertisement schedule, and provide a timeline for the Lexington remediation work. The closure decision also leaves open collection options — residents were told to contact the sheriff’s office or county staff for alternatives and to utilize the main transfer station. Commissioners said the Nov. 1 closing gives residents time to use existing stickers and plan for alternate disposal.