County takes first step in divorcing Wildcat Solid Waste District

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WFLI) - The Tippecanoe County Commissioners began the process of breaking up the relationship with Clinton County for getting rid of hazardous waste. The commissioners voted unanimously to end its partnership with the Wildcat Creek Solid Waste District.

Commissioner John Knochel made the motion during the commissioners' meeting Monday.

All three of the commissioners agreed the county should cut ties with the Wildcat Creek Solid Waste District. They have 45 days to make a final decision.

The idea doesn't sit well with many who use the site to get rid of hazardous waste.

"If we want to continue the high quality of life we have district-wide, having a hazardous waste disposal facility is not a luxury; it is a necessity," League of Women Voters of Greater Lafayette president Joanne Evers told the commissioners during the meeting.

Commissioners' president Dave Byers agreed.

"We see (the hazardous waste disposal) as a service and it is needed," he said.

Southside Landfill Inc. has offered the county a contract to do exactly what the Wildcat Creek Solid Waste District does.

Some county residents like that idea.

"With no construction, no added cost. From the surface, it looks to me like you've hit a home run," Paul Wright told the commissioners during the meeting.

But, money is a big issue.

"I've heard from three of you all along, you have got to save money. Well, prove it," Tippecanoe County resident Leon Dixon said to the commissioners during the meeting.

The commissioners believe there won't be a change in the cost to taxpayers.

"It looks like we can certainly do this within the current tax rate," Commissioner Tom Murtaugh said in response during the meeting. "We aren't looking at any additional funding. It also takes us from what everyone agrees is a substandard location, to a state of the art location."

Byers echoed Murtaugh's statement.

"Until we get through the very first year and see exactly what our expenses are, I know it will not be higher. I can guarantee that part," he said.

The location of the Wildcat Creek Solid Waste District is a problem. The district needs a new facility, and the estimates have come in way over budget.

"It's no small matter to establish a new hazardous waste site," Tippecanoe County resident Karen Riggs told the commissioners. "We already have one. I don't know why we would have to do a different one."

Byers said should Southside take over, it already has a facility. If the change happens, it wouldn't probably take effect until March or April next year.