Revenue loss could curtail Mahoning County landfill inspections

AUSTINTOWN — The Mahoning County health board may have to cut back landfill inspections and testing water wells close to landfills because of revenue losses incurred with an unexpected landfill closing.

The board’s landfill, water-well testing and other programs are funded through the county Solid Waste Management District, known as the Green Team, which gets the majority of its revenue from per-ton dumping fees paid by the landfills.

Central Waste Landfill in Smith Township, which generated about $650,000 a year in dumping fees, closed in 2012, said Patricia Sweeney, county health commissioner.

The county now has only two active landfills — Carbon Limestone in Poland Township and the Mahoning Landfill in Springfield Township. The county health department inspects active and retired landfills.

Total SWMD revenue was $2.6 million in 2012 and is projected to be $2.4 million this year and $2.4 million next year.

The recycling division is spending more money than it is receiving, causing reserves to dwindle to the point where its carry-over from 2013 to 2014 is expected to be $200,000 or less, said Lou Vega, SWMD director.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator and Vindy.com