109 Board purchases new dumpsters, discusses future

The Meade County Solid Waste & Recycle (MCSW&R) 109 Board met in their regular business meeting on Jan. 15. Chairman Bim Wardrip and members Jim Harris, Packy Vessels, Bill Hofmann, and Shannon Loose attended; Heber Burchett was unable to attend. The meeting began with the usual organizational details, approving minutes, discussing expense reporting, approving a collection report, and proceeded into a discussion of recent finances. Hofmann pointed out MCSW&R income for the past quarter had been $344,000, almost $115,000 per month, much greater than a previously reported figure of approximately $80,000. The lower figure was a rough estimate of quarterly collection of garbage fees while the higher figure reflected the sale of recyclables, dumpster rentals, and other operational income. His point was though MCSW&R was not in “good shape,” “we’re not dying, either!” The question was then asked how sound was the MCSW&R estimate of $131,000 in monthly operational expenses? Coordinator Mark Gossett responded it was as correct an estimate as he could currently provide.

The operation of the Meade County Sheriff’s Department

The Meade County Sheriff’s office stands at the front of the line in Meade County, with the person holding this position highly visible and accountable to the public. Our new county sheriff is Butch Kerrick, who says he has already “learned a lot in the past few weeks.” He took advantage of a sheriff’s convention before beginning the job and racked up close to 40 hours worth of what he feels was valuable training.