When state lawmakers voted to increase tipping fees at Wisconsin landfills in 2009, the goal was to reduce the amount of trash from neighboring states that was being dumped in Wisconsin. The higher fees are causing problems though for operators of the Pheasant Run Landfill in Kenosha County.
Officials with the landfill, located near the Town of Paris, says there has been a 76-percent drop in the amount of solid waste coming into the landfill from Illinois. As a result, revenues have dropped sharply and now Waste Management, the operator, is hoping to work out new tax deals with local officials.
Waste Management recently asked to renegotiate an agreement with Kenosha County for payments that are largely used to defer property taxes for area residents. Waste Management pay 68-cents per ton dumped in the landfill, along with a $250,000 gift to the county. The County has approved a new deal that keeps the 68-cent fee, but drops the gift to $75,000 and makes other concessions.
County Supervisor Joe Clark says, without that help, Waste Management may not be able to stay in business.
AUDIO: Supervisor Joe Clark (:09)
The company is still seeking a new agreement with officials in Paris, where it pays substantially higher fees to offset local property taxes.
Janet Hoff, WRJN
