Adams County Solid Waste staff told the committee on Dec. 10 that landfill inbound tonnage declined sharply in November and that a major hauler, Republic, has scaled back deliveries, a change staff said is already affecting county revenue and operations.

"There's a landfill tonnage, for November. We're down 1 1800 tons," Ruben said, reporting an approximate 1,800-ton decrease. Ruben said Republic had not been bringing loads with the same frequency observed earlier in the year and that the company remains under contract through 2028 with a 12,000-ton annual minimum. "Their minimum is 12,000 tons," Ruben said, adding that if Republic spaces deliveries across the year the financial impact is smaller but that an extended drop creates a larger negative.

The committee discussed municipal friction with service delivery. Town of Adams residents had raised concerns about collection on a private road (Dearborn Avenue). Ruben said the county previously backed down the private road to serve a handicapped resident but that the change later caused confusion when other residents moved cans closer to the road; the specific complaint was resolved, and staff said they will continue to coordinate notifications and disability verifications for accommodations.

Committee members also reviewed a tentative advisory-committee agreement with Strongs Prairie. The proposed amendments include changing a 10,000-ton contract limit from a parcel-based measure to a per-resident basis and charging users who cross the county scale like regular customers. Staff warned the change could cause a negative adjustment period while residents adapt, and the committee asked staff to prepare a memo explaining the rationale for municipal constituents.

Recycling and MRF inbound tonnage also decreased after Republic began routing material to its own facilities; staff noted GFL is opening a transfer site in Austin, and other haulers have expressed interest in bringing material to the county in the coming year.

The committee received a brief financial report indicating the solid waste fund was roughly $200,000 positive at the time of the meeting. Staff said they expect to continue pursuing other haulers and to return with updates.

What happens next
Staff will continue outreach to alternative haulers, monitor tonnage and revenue impacts, and prepare a memo on the Strongs Prairie amendments for municipal review.