Rural residents unhappy with new waste management program

Dissatisfaction with the new rural waste management plan was expressed by David Helman at April 19 Board of Supervisors meeting.

In a written statement Helman stated, “The information central to your decision of March 29, 2022 to terminate waste collection and recycling at the Trenton, Winfield, New London, and Salem rural sites was incorrect and misleading.”

When the Iowa levy of 1 percent sales tax was instituted beginning Jan. 1, 2016 there was no sunset or expiration date on the levy.

These local-option sales tax (LOST) funds have been used to support the rural waste management programs in Henry County.

Helman told the board that their estimation of only 26% of rural residents using the four rural locations for waste was inaccurate.

“It is clear the number given to you were a ‘snapshot’ of one week,” Helman said, “Few use the service every week.”

According to Helman most residents only go to the waste management centers when they have accumulated enough waste and recycling to warrant the trip.

Helman additionally pointed out that “neighbors help neighbors” and the “snapshot” may not have taken into consideration that one resident bringing in waste may have actually been bringing waste for multiple households.

The board was urged by Helman to reconsider option two of three total options which were offered to the board in March of this year.

The board chose to operate a “citizen convenience center“ on West Washington in Mt. Pleasant Tuesday-Saturday for a monthly cost of $14,800. The four remote sites will no longer be available.

The board’s vote on the matter, however, was split with Board Chair Greg Moeller voting against the chosen option.

A second option would keep the Mt. Pleasant site and the four remote locations. The monthly fee would be $21,400.

The third option was described as keeping the four remote sites for $15,300 per month.

Helman said that he wanted to represent other rural residents in the dissatisfaction with the current option.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com