County to begin recycling bins move

Union County Board of Supervisors explained Monday the consolidation of the county’s recycling bins in Afton and Creston will begin Monday, Jan. 6. Supervisors expect all of the bins to be at the new location at Prairie Solid Waste by the end of that week. The county had not heard a schedule from Waste Management which provides the bins.

Supervisors emphasized the county’s action has no impact on the recycling bins provided by the city of Creston for Creston residents. Supervisors Dennis Hopkins and Dennis Brown both said they have received calls from residents wondering about the future of the Creston resident recycling bins.

This fall, the county approved to consolidate its recycling bins into one location as a cost saving measure. Located at 1774 Lark Ave. east of Creston, recycling will only be available during the working hours of the landfill; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays. Attempts will be made to have, for example, one cardboard bin full before using another as a way to limit costs on emptying the bins.

In a related issue, Secondary Roads Superintendent Al Hysell said his crews found trash along county roads last week. With evidence, the county may press charges toward those who illegally dump trash along roads and county ditches. Hysell said names have been found in the past. Convicted suspects will face fines.

Elected officials were sworn in. Those included supervisors Brown and Rick Friday, auditor Sandy Hysell and sheriff Brian Bolton. All ran unopposed on the November ballot. Bolton was the only candidate who was not an incumbent. He replaces Mark Shepherd who announced his retirement in January during the caucus. Their four-year terms officially begin Jan. 1.

In other county news...

Supervisors approved an agreement for an online auction portal that has been successfully used by Treasurer Kelly Busch with tax sales.

Supervisors approved a budget amendment and appropriations to the fiscal year 2025 budget. Expenses and revenues varied from juvenile detention, well plugging, opioid prevention, storm damage and new cabins at Three Mile Lake.

Union County Emergency Management Director Jo Duckworth reviewed the 2024 hazard mitigation plan. The plan is to prevent long-term damage to people and property within the county during hazardous events. Chemical spills is one example of an event. Duckworth said the county has agreements with providers from other parts of the state to assist in hazardous event responses. The plan is good for five years.