Thursday, December 27, 2018

Starke County Commissioners Discuss Environmental Management District MOA

Posted on December 27, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI

The Starke County Commissioners reviewed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Starke County Environmental Management District last week regarding the changes in the delivery of recycling services to residents in the county.

It was decided to remove all recycling sites in the county and move them to a single site at the Starke County Highway Garage. Contamination and the rising costs of providing the service were the reasons behind the change.

A recycling facility is being built at the northwest portion of property at the Starke County Highway Garage on 250 N. in Knox.  It will be manned at all times with employees looking at the items being recycled.  The commissioners have agreed to fund the construction of the facility while the Environmental Management District will staff and manage it.

As part of the agreement, the District will lease the facility for two years with an option for the District to renew for an additional four, two-year terms upon 30 days notice. The District will pay rent to the commissioners at a rate to be determined with amortization of the construction price over the State Board of Accounts’ calculation of the depreciation period for the structure. District officials will be responsible for any upgrade costs upon approval of the commissioners, and for all utility payments and the purchase of any office, security or recycling equipment. The commissioners will carry casualty insurance on the property, among other terms as listed in the Memorandum of Agreement.

The Starke County Environmental Management District members approved the agreement on Dec. 15 and the commissioners approved the agreement during their meeting last week.

The construction of the new facility is moving along. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says the doors and windows on the structure have been installed with siding work being done this week. The interior work will be next in the process. The project should be complete in January.

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