The litter collection program in Lawrence County will now host year-round cleanups, officials said.

Sunday, December 23, 2001

The litter collection program in Lawrence County will now host year-round cleanups, officials said.

While discussing contracts with the county, Doug Cade of the CAO told commissioners Thursday that new grants and funding situations would allow roadside collection and other cleanup efforts to begin in January instead of the usual April next year.

"We will now have someone doing litter collection year-round," Cade said, adding workers should be able to start picking up dumps and litter on roadsides as early as Jan. 1.

A solid waste awareness grant, Recycle Ohio grant and the newly restructured joint solid waste district with Scioto County and other factors is allowing the chance.

Commissioners also signed agreements Thursday for technical and administrative services between Lawrence County and the CAO for floodplain management, planning commission - effective Feb. 1, 2002 – and the litter collection.

The litter contract is the same amount as last year, but there are slight increases for other contracts, officials said.

Meanwhile, solid waste officials are submitting a $60,000 grant for continuation and expansion of the solid waste reduction program. A computer recycling grant, Take Pride in Ohio grant and $25,000 EPA grant are also being submitted, Cade said.

Also Thursday, the county commission adopted temporary appropriations for the county general fund and an annual appropriation resolution for all other funds. Officeholders were notified of appropriations. An amended certificate of estimated resources was also adopted.

The county has adopted a full budget, instead of such a temporary measure during the last several years.

But, the county wants to wait and see how sales tax monies pan out through this month, said commissioner Jason Stephens.

Sales tax income represents about 45 percent of the county’s general fund revenue; and with Duke moving in, car sales on the rise and a new surgery center in Proctorville, waiting on revenue figures will give the county a better idea about its finances, Stephens said.

The temporary budget maintains the commission’s tight budget stance, with a hope that any revenue increases will help the county write a better looking budget in three months, officials said.