Faced with fuel costs that have more than doubled this year, Lynn Whaley of WEMIGA on Tuesday, May 3 asked the supervisors to modify WEMIGA’s new contract in providing recycling and sold waste disposal services for the county.

Whaley told the board when the current contract was signed, diesel was $2.50 a gallon; now it is more than $5 and may well go as high as $7 or more.

While the fuel costs, especially for taking various recyclables to specific plants, were not separately addressed in the contract, he suggested providing a 3% increase (in a $10,000 monthly fee). Even more, he added, that can be adjusted, using the state average as the base line. He also said WEMIGA will provide full details about all travel as well as which suppliers the company uses. The board approved the plan 5-0.

WEMIGA operates the county-owned recyclable and solid waste facility on Lexington Blvd. on an annual contract basis with the county. The service is for county residents; incorporated county cities provide their own service.

In other business, the board:

• approved employment termination for Stephanie Paggerson, Washington County Jail, effective April 14;

• approved Kalie A. Perez, a high school student, for an internship with the Washington County Communications Department, effective May 2, at $8 per hour.  Supervisor Cara Sorrels explained that there has been previous internships, but not for some time”. It is possible it could be a recruitment step;

•acknowledged and expressed appreciation for a $1,000 donation to the county Communications Department from B.J. Wetherell and also acknowledged appreciation for a second donation of $1,000 from Wetherell for the sheriff department’s K-9 unit. It was noted that the individual has been a long-time supporter of both departments; and

•learned that Carl A. Nelson, Inc. has started work on the feasibility study for possible relocation of city offices to the county-owned Orchard Hill complex, as well as remodeling of the courthouse to accommodate  all judicial services.  Supervisor Marcus Fedler is the county liaison with the firm and reported there have been meetings with them. The study, approved earlier this month, is expected to be done within eight to 12 weeks.