Although the Wayne and Union Solid Waste Management District was dissolved Dec. 31, 2024, work remains for Wayne Union Recycling’s board during 2025.
The board received an update on its timeline and necessary actions this year during a Jan. 15 meeting. Ron Cross, the Wayne County attorney, said the board has an obligation to oversee the orderly winding down of the group.
Wayne County’s commissioners have passed two resolutions that withdrew Wayne County from the regional solid waste management district. That effectively dissolved the two-member district.
The board now has until March 31 to identify and distribute assets and liabilities between Wayne and Union counties. Jeff Plasterer, a Wayne County commissioner, said discussions with Union County have centered on distribution by population, which would allocate 10% to Union County.
The financial report Jan. 15 indicated $237,499.95 remained in bank accounts. The board, though, continues to pay 2025 obligations. A $173,826 budget was passed for 2025.
The district’s employees work through Wayne County Soil and Water. The salaries for WUR work is split, with soil and water, Richmond Sanitary District, and WUR each paying 30% and Union County paying 10%. WUR’s other funding comes from a $2-per-ton tipping fee at Richmond’s New Paris Pike Landfill.
The disbursement agreement must be submitted to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Then, Wayne County, Union County and WUR must conduct public meetings.
Wayne County is working with Richmond Sanitary District to expand recycling efforts. Richmond Sanitary District plans to expand beyond Richmond into other county communities. Cross said the county needs to define its mission for future recycling and document its expectations for its partnership with Richmond Sanitary District.
Meanwhile, WUR will continue this year the recycling services and collections it’s previously provided.
A version of this article appeared in the January 22 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.