Lane County’s only landfill is facing a fiscal imbalance. Short Mountain collects waste from households and businesses—and it may have to rein in services. That means some users would have to pay a private company to haul their trash, or do it themselves.
Short Mountain is located just south of Eugene. It serves more than 300,000 people.
Dan Hurley is with the waste management division of Lane County. He says the user funded service has a disparity between revenue generated and future operation costs.
Hurley: “We’re about a $1.5 million short on where we should be to be able to prepare for future construction and maintenance and long term care of the landfill. Right now we’re breaking even operationally, but we’re not able to put money away for future development.”
Hurley says 16 transfer stations serve Short Mountain. To save money, the county is considering closing half of those stations.
Public input sessions on the proposal to correct the fiscal shortfall begin this week. The Lane County Board of Commissioners is expected to adopt a plan in early August.
Schedule for public input meetings:
Wednesday, July 13th, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Upper McKenzie Community Center
Wednesday, July 20th, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Walton Fire Station
Wednesday, July 27th, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Creswell Community Center
Thursday, July 28th, 5:30-7:00 p.m., Harris Hall
Visit Lane County’s website for more information.