County may cut ties with Waste District

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - There is tension between county officials and the Wildcat Creek Solid Waste District. The district serves both Tippecanoe and Clinton Counties.

Plans for a new hazardous materials building at the district's facility on North 9th Street has Tippecanoe County Commissioner John Knochel tossing around the idea of divorce.

"We've been so frustrated over getting this building that, you know, I thought, why not throw this out," Knochel said of the separation of the counties. "Let's discuss it. See what happens."

The Wildcat Creek Solid Waste District serves both counties, but the new building is causing a headache for all parties involved. Money has been set aside for the proposed building. The district saved up more than $250,000 for a new facility and the county budgeted around $90,000.

But, the lowest estimated cost for the project is more than $420,000. That makes the district around $75,000 short.

"Every time we have suggested downsizing this building, the director has said no," Knochel said.

District director Dawn Boston said the current facility is unsafe. The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration gave the district a November 4 deadline to get working conditions up to code or it could face fines.

"The staff would be happy with any kind of facility the Tippecanoe County Commissioners and County Council would see fit to provide," Boston said. "It is the employer's responsibility to create a safe working environment. However they want to do that is completely up to them. We will be thrilled with whatever they can provide."

Boston said the need for a new facility in Tippecanoe County has some Clinton County officials worried.

"Clinton County has some concerns that even though they have a safety barn and a safety shower at their facility. Because there is not one in Tippecanoe, their liability carries over into Clinton County as well," she explained.

But, staying together would save the counties some cash.

"Because you don't have to have the double insurance and double staff, it saves everyone money," Boston said.

The Tippecanoe County Commissioners will discuss the possible divorce at its next meeting.

Knochel said should both counties go their separate ways, Tippecanoe County would still have a solid waste district, it just wouldn't share one with Clinton County.