Selling recylables proving to be financially helpful for county

The process of separating recyclable materials from other solid waste?to market what can be sold and dispose of the rest?seems to be saving money for Marion County.

Rollin Schmidt, transfer station and recycling director, said Monday at the Marion County Commis?sion meeting that 71.7 tons of recyclables have been disposed of since beginning the effort in late 2013; 45.38 tons have been disposed of this year.

The commissioners said cardboard is especially in demand.

Schmidt said money received for the materials covers the fuel ?and a little extra.? The recycling also saves the county the $36 fee for disposing of it as solid waste at a landfill.

Following a five-minute executive session for personnel, the commissioners authorized Schmidt to hire an additional part-time person at the transfer station.

The commissioners accepted a proposal from Jeff Berger of Van Keppel Co. to fly to Pennsylvania in April at Van Keppel?s expense for orientation on Volvo road graders and equipment. Berger said they would see first-hand the superior workmanship and maintenance plan for equipment built in the U.S..

Road and Bridge Director Randy Crawford said that while working on road surfacing projects in the northern part of the county this summer, with commission approval, he is adding three miles of double chip seal with Build X and four miles of single chip seal with Build X on 340th Road from Quail Creek Road to the Morris County line at a cost of $189,947.

The commissioners approved purchase of a 2008 Kenworth T800 with Cater?pillar engine for $90,000. The truck can haul three tons more road rock out of Florida.

The commissioners approved a bid of $17,300 from D&L Enterprises of Marion, with no competitive bidders coming forward, to build 1,320 feet of five-strand fence at Beach Cove and Arch Cove at Marion County Lake with completion by June 6.

The commissioners said they expect to approve final plans for Garry Dunne?gan?s Saddle Creek Divi?sion for housing at the east end of Marion County Lake pending County Attorney Susan Robson adding to the agreement that a 40-foot right of way is only for utility easements and not for added roadway.

Dunnegan said the first two lots in the development are sold to one buyer. He thinks interest is strong enough to sell the remaining lots quickly.

He said the $200,000-plus homes likely to be built there will add significantly to the county tax base.

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