County Votes in Favor of Solid Waste Tipping Fee for Commercial Haulers

The Wayne County Commission met in their regular monthly session on Monday, October 20, 2025. Commissioners in attendance were Tom Mathis, Logan Shull, Patrick Butler, Tyler McDonald, Alvin Creecy, Kathryn Staggs, Colby McDonald, Vickie Petty, Jeremy Heard, Stan Hanback, David Martin, Stephen Pevahouse, and Rickey Kelley. Also in attendance were County Executive Jim Mangubat, County Clerk Stan Horton, and County Attorney Andy Yarbrough. Commissioner Sherrie Powers was absent.

First on the agenda was a public forum for citizens to address the commission. First to approach the podium was Jeff Thompson, who has addressed the commission in previous meetings regarding the Solid Waste Department. At last Monday’s meeting, Mr. Thompson expressed his opinion that the proposal on the table to begin charging a tipping fee to commercial haulers is not a perfect solution to the Solid Waste Department’s financial woes, but it does make sense. He also expressed his opinion once again that convenience centers are very beneficial for county residents, and he would hate to see them go away.

The next citizen to address the commission was Jeff Thompson’s wife, Ms. Tracey Thompson. Ms. Thompson began by stating that she wished to address a misconception she and her husband had heard floating around. She said that she and her husband are not with any organization; they are just concerned citizens who have been asked by other concerned citizens to convey their opinions on the Solid Waste Department issues. Ms. Thompson said that commercial haulers almost certainly pay tipping fees in other counties, and it would only be fair to charge them here in Wayne County as well. She went on to say she was aware of the fact that city residents are mandated by city ordinances to pay for residential garbage pickup, and in her opinion, those city residents should petition their cities to change the ordinances.

Angie Butler addressed the commission next and asked why the county would allow for-profit haulers to dump at the county transfer station in Waynesboro without being charged a tipping fee.

Jessica Bailey was the final citizen to address the commission in the public forum. Ms. Bailey began by expressing thanks to the County Commission from the Southgate community and the Southgate Volunteer Fire Department. Last year, the county agreed to sell a small parcel of land at a nominal fee to the Southgate VFD to be used for the construction of a functional landing zone for emergency medical helicopters. Prior to this, the Southgate community relied on a generous resident who agreed their own private yard could be used as a landing zone when needed. Since then, the old Fairview School on the property has been deconstructed to make way for the Air Evac-approved, state-of-the-art landing zone/helicopter pad that is now ready for use. Ms. Bailey went on to invite everyone to the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new site on Tuesday, November 4, at 4pm.

Next on the agenda, the commission conducted the regular business of approval of minutes, notary approval, and approval of line-item budget amendments.

Sarah Brown, Executive Director of South Central Human Resource Agency (SCHRA), addressed the commission next. Ms. Brown began by thanking the commission for their partnership and support over the years, and she expressed gratitude to the county for not charging rent at the Wayne County SCHRA office, which is in a county-owned building.

Ms. Brown briefly listed some of the programs SCHRA offers, including Head Start, meals for seniors, employee/job training assistance, emergency assistance, and more – programs from which over 5,000 Wayne Countians have benefited over the last year at an economic value of over one million dollars. She explained that most of the funding for SCHRA comes from Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which have not increased in the past several years.

Ms. Brown ended by explaining that if the county were to begin charging rent for the SCHRA office in Wayne County, some programs, such as meals for seniors, may have to be cut back. She said she certainly did not want that to happen, and hoped the county decided not to explore that source of income.

Members of three Clifton families addressed the commission next, asking for sections of three roads to be renamed in honor of their loved ones. The first was West Pillow Street from the intersection of Highways 128 and 641 to mile marker one to be named Preston and Darbo Carroll Memorial Highway. Next was a section from the stop sign on West Pillow Street down to the old ferry landing to be named Bill and Doris Beckham Memorial Highway. The third was from the old ferry landing to the new Ross Creek Bridge at Clifton City Park to be named W.F. and Tootsie Howard Memorial Highway. The commission unanimously approved the renaming of these sections of Clifton roadways.

Next, Sheriff Shane Fisher presented a proposal to the commission from Heritage Health Solutions. Sheriff Fisher explained that if the county decided to partner with Heritage, it would save a great deal of money on inmate healthcare, mainly for off-site services. The commission unanimously approved a one-year agreement with Heritage Health Services.

What has undoubtedly been the most talked about and highly debated topic of interest among citizens and county officials over the last several months, how to move forward and make necessary changes in the Solid Waste Department, was again discussed at great length among the commissioners. County Executive Mangubat stated that in their meeting on October 14, the Budget Committee voted to recommend to the full commission that a tipping fee of five cents per pound be charged to commercial haulers dumping at the county transfer station in Waynesboro. Commissioners asked some of the same questions that had been asked before; Commissioner Creecy asked how much the implementation of a tipping fee would affect the amount city residents are charged monthly for a sanitation fee. Waynesboro City Manager John Hickman (who was not in attendance at this county meeting) stated in the last Waynesboro City Commission meeting that he had spoken directly with RaeKar officials, and Waynesboro City residents could expect their monthly sanitation fee, which is part of the utility bill, to go up from the current $9 to $20.01. This increase would be a direct result of the tipping fee implementation affecting RaeKar’s cost and profit margin.

Commissioner Mathis stated that something needs to be done across the board with all citizens to make it more fair for city residents and county residents as well.

Commissioner Butler asked what happened with getting proposals from third parties other than RaeKar. This was previously discussed among the full commission, then bumped back to the Solid Waste Committee, who never moved forward with it. Commissioner Butler, who was appointed Chairman of the Solid Waste Committee following the resignation of Commissioner Petty, went on to say he felt the tipping fee would be a good first step to make progress with the situation. He said it could possibly prevent any further increase in property taxes. He, as did Commissioner Mathis, stated that whatever action was taken, it should be action that would make it equitable for people throughout the county.

Commissioner Petty stated that in her opinion, there should be different processes within the Solid Waste Department to reduce the cost of running the facility. She asked if anything had been done to make changes, and County Executive Mangubat said there had not. Commissioner Butler said he agreed that the facility needs upgrades, but there does not necessarily need to be a reduction in manpower.

Commissioner Creecy spoke again about the county’s recycling program, stating that more recycling would bring in more revenue. Commissioner Creecy has done extensive studies on recycling programs in other counties and has given presentations to the county and to each city on how recycling could further benefit the county. He reminded the commission that many city residents have no idea they can get their unsorted recyclables picked up curbside at their homes free of charge.

Although the solid waste discussion was lengthy, no mention was made of implementing an addition to the wheel tax to help fund solid waste, an option that has been brought up many times but on which no decision has ever been made.

Following the lengthy discussion, Commissioner Kelley made a motion to implement a tipping fee of five cents per pound to be charged to commercial haulers who dump at the Wayne County Solid Waste Facility in Waynesboro. The motion was seconded, and carried on roll call vote with Commissioners Kelley, Butler, Creecy, Staggs, C. McDonald, Petty, Hanback, Martin, and Pevahouse voting yes. Commissioners Shull, Mathis, T. McDonald, and Heard voted no.

After the vote on the tipping fee, the discussion continued with Commissioner Shull asking if the Solid Waste Department had submitted any plans to cut expenses. County Executive Mangubat said they had not. Commissioner Shull reiterated that he wasn’t talking about cutting payroll or employees, only processes.

Commissioner Petty made a motion stating that the Solid Waste Department would provide the commission with a study on how to reduce expenses in the department within three months. Commissioner Heard seconded the motion, and it carried unanimously on roll call vote.

Commissioner Mathis said that Wayne County Financial Advisor Lori Brasher was told some time back that she would receive numbers with which to calculate costs and possible improvements in the Solid Waste Department, and she was never given those numbers. A vote was made by Commissioner Shull and seconded by Commissioner Heard that the commission would work with the budget committee to get those reports.

The next motion concerned the new boiler at Wayne Medical Center. The total cost of the boiler project was $278,671, with the agreement that Maury Regional would pay $150,000 and the county would pay $128,671. County Executive Mangubat explained that the money for this was already in this year’s budget, and both the Budget Committee and Building Committee had approved the boiler payment. After a motion from Commissioner Mathis, seconded by Commissioner Shull, the payment was unanimously approved on roll call vote.

Prior requests from Helping Hands and the school system for money from the opioid funds were briefly discussed, and it was explained that the county is still waiting for clarification on how the funds can be used.

The commission went on to approve the lease of a small tract of land adjacent to the Wayne County Ag Center at Industrial Park to the Chamber of Commerce. The land will benefit the county by hosting agricultural events and other events such as the rodeo held there this year. The land will be leased to the Chamber for ten years at the rate of one dollar per year, with the stipulation that the county may take the land back if it is needed for something else such as industry.

Wayne County JECDB Director Rena Purdy asked for approval to spend $10,000 in grant funds awarded from a Three Star Grant. The grant funds will be used for soil testing by soil scientists at the Industrial Park. The commission unanimously approved the Three Star Grant.

The next item of business was the Pulpwood Severance Tax. In August of this year, the commission was made aware of a Pulpwood Severance Tax that went into effect in Wayne County by way of a 1989 Private Act. It was discovered that only one logging company, Threshold Logging, had been paying the tax since then. In the most recent meeting of the Budget Committee, Commissioner Kelley stated that in his opinion, the tax should be dropped off the books unless other products grown in the county are taxed as well. The Budget Committee voted to recommend to the full commission to drop the Pulpwood Severance Tax Private Acts of 1989 off the books.

County Executive Mangubat explained to the commission that the 1989 Private Act must go before the State Legislature to be repealed in order to eliminate the severance tax. Commissioner Kelley made a motion to present the 1989 Private Act to the State Legislature to be repealed, therefore eliminating the Pulpwood Severance Tax. Commissioner Shull seconded, and it carried on roll call vote with Commissioners Kelley, Shull, T. McDonald, C. McDonald, Creecy, Staggs, Hanback, and Martin voting yes, and Commissioners Butler, Mathis, Pevahouse, Heard, and Petty voting no.

Three nominations were made for vacancies on the Library Board: Martha Kelly, Taylor Hatcher, and Heather Warren. The commission voted in favor of all three to serve a three-year term on the board.

Department reports were next on the agenda. Highway Superintendent Chuck Moser gave a brief rundown on roads under repair. Commissioner Colby McDonald mentioned that there had been negative posts made on social media about the quality of the road repairs, including some that were only getting a new layer of chert put down over old tar and gravel. Moser said due to limited funds, repairs on some roads, including the ones getting chert, are just being fixed to hold up until better improvements can be made. He explained that the chert is not meant to be permanent fix, but hot mix is too expensive at this time, and the budget doesn’t allow for it.

The commission next voted unanimously to award the bid to Williams Roofing for the roof on the Waynesboro Senior Center at the cost of $14,000.

Sheriff Fisher submitted a request for the purchase of two new metal detectors at the cost of approximately $11,000. The commission voted unanimously for the purchase.

Sheriff Fisher went on to give a report on the jail and his department. From the time period of July 2025 through August 2025, the jail/workhouse received state funds of $225,082 for housing state inmates. The Sheriff’s Office received 902 calls in that time period, and served 171 warrants, 283 criminal summons, 80 warning citations, and 6 citations. The department received $14,065 from the state for papers served. Sheriff Fisher added that there were two deputies in the academy at that time, and he was operating his department at approximately half staff.

Dr. Ricky Inman, Wayne County Director of Schools, recognized that 15 teachers in the Wayne County School System had reached Level 5, the highest rank possible. Wayne County High School received a Level 5 overall.

Dr. Inman also recognized the WCHS Golf Team, who made school history by participating in the State Tournament.

EMA Director Brian Smith asked for permission to apply for a grant normally awarded every November. The commission unanimously approved the grant application.

IT Director Mike Floyd said he was still working on improving the camera systems at the jail and the South Precinct. He reported that the first cyber security class had been held, with more yet to come.

With no further business to come before the commission, the meeting was adjourned.