Fiscal Court Recap: Discussion On Whether to Renew Scott Waste Contract or Search For New Provider

Court Also Renews Bid With Hart County Jail For Inmate Housing At Same Rate

Madison Doyle, story:
Edmonson County Fiscal Court met today, August 8, 2022, where the court held a lengthy discussion regarding the specifications for solid waste collection and whether or not to open up bids for a new waste company, or to renew the current contract with Scott Waste Management.

Judge Cannon said that while he has been in office, Scott Waste had done a "pretty good job overall, minus just the last few months." Cannon recommended the court vote to renew their contract with Scott Waste, and "let them fix the issues we have at hand, and if they don't, then go with a different company."

Cannon asked each individual magistrate their opinion. The magistrates, aside from District 5 Mag. Johnny Brooks, who said he agreed with Cannon, and District 3 Mag. Edd Rich who was absent, said that the majority of their complaints come from those who are dissatisfied with Scott Waste. 

"I have been here for four years now, and I don't think Scott Waste has a done good job overall," District 6 Magistrate James Vincent said. "I think we have given them chances to fix their issues, and they haven't. Most of my complaints in my district are people saying their trash hasn't been picked up."

Numerous discussions have been held on the quality of service from Scott Waste at Edmonson County Fiscal Court meetings over the past several years, most recently at an April 2022 meeting. Representatives from the trash company have appeared multiple times at the meetings and have usually been there to apologize for problems; however many customers have argued that their complaints have gone unnoticed. The fiscal court has not yet been able to find ways to motivate Scott Waste to do better.

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5. An Open Letter To Waste Connections (Scott Waste)
   

The county entered into an agreement with Scott Waste, now known as Waste Connections, in 2008 when Edmonson County began participating in the Kentucky Waste Management Program. This program recommends the county to have one trash pickup service countywide in order to track the amount of trash being picked up. Judge Cannon has said on more than one occasion that having more than one trash company will hinder the process of tracking that information. All county residents are required by ordinance to have weekly trash pickup.

As a participant in the program, the county receives grant money that pays for the litter abatement program and a tire amnesty program.

Waste Connections also donates each year to the Freedom Fest, which provides a free fireworks show each summer, and provides the dumpster services for the annual countywide cleanup. Waste Connections also pays a franchise tax back to the county each year, which is around $50,000 a year.

Trash pickup was late again last week for a large number of county residents.

After hearing the magistrates' opinions, Judge Cannon said "I know things aren't going good right now, but I am afraid of making this change right now."

The court read the current contract with Scott Waste, and magistrates agreed that more time was needed to gather more information about all available options before making a decision. The motion was made by Johnny Brooks to table until the next meeting, which was seconded by Corey Vanmeter.

The court also approved a jail bid from Hart County jail for $45 per day, per inmate. Judge Cannon said he would recommend accepting this bid because "we know Hart County has the room, and it's the most efficient for our county because it's an easy drive and it will save us money in the long run."

Deputy Jailer Todd Vincent agreed, and he said "If you look at somewhere else, the drive is going to be farther, we would have to pay employees more, and we can't really afford to do that so I think it would hurt us in the long haul if we went with somewhere else."

The court also voted to approve/acknowledge the following:

• Schedule Tax Rate Hearing for August 22, 2022 at 8:45 am.
• Approve Resolution EC22-22, FY23 Flex Roads Agreement.
• Approve E911 22-257 Grant Contract.
• Approve Protegis Annual Fire Extinguisher Inspection Quote.
• Acknowledge Dog Control's July CAD Status Report.
• Acknowledge BGWC July Shelter Director's Report.
• Acknowledge BGWC Letter from Shelter-Director- additional fees.
• Approve 2023 Litter Abatement Grant Application.
• Approve Edmonson County Conservation District 2022 Tax Rates.
• Approve Big Reedy Conservancy District 2022 Tax Rates.
• Approve KACCA Conference/Lodging for Joe Carl Daugherty.
• Approve CDBG #20C-196, Lincoln Fire Department Project.
• Approve Treasure's July Monthly Settlement Report.
• Approve County Clerk's July MVAV Collection Report, pending final audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s July Deed Transfer Tax Report, pending final audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s July Occupational Tax Report, pending final audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s July Excess Fees Report, pending final audit.
• Approve County Clerk’s July Delinquent Tax Collection Report, pending final audit.

The next fiscal court meeting is scheduled for August 22, 2022 at 9 am.