The Rhea County Landfill is seen in this file photo.
Rhea County Commissioner Bill HollinDAYTON, Tenn. – Rhea County commissioners voted this week to impose a $4-per-ton tipping fee for municipal waste deposited at the county landfill to cover a projected shortfall in the solid waste budget.
A motion to that effect had been offered “about three meetings ago by Commissioner [Bill] Hollin,” said Commissioner Ron Masterson, who asked Tuesday that the panel consider the idea again “since we have the information we were seeking.”
Hollin said the fee, which will be charged to the cities of Dayton, Spring City and Graysville as well as for county-hauled garbage, is expected to generate $96,000 per year. The plan to charge the county general fund sparked questions. Commissioners said the projected deficit in the solid waste budget this year is $322,000.
“The question I have is, are we going to take money out of the general fund and put it right back into waste disposal?” Commissioner Ronnie Raper asked.
“That’s my understanding,” Chairman Jim Reed responded.