Seneca County Board of Health endorses Senate Bill 119 for landfill oversight

Tiffin, Ohio — During a regular board meeting held on Thursday evening, the Seneca County Board of Health unanimously passed a resolution endorsing Senate Bill 119.

This bill, introduced by Senator Bill Reineke in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, proposes significant changes to existing Ohio laws pertaining to landfill facilities and grants regulatory agencies greater authority and responsibility for oversight, according to the board.

The resolution, supported by the entire board, reflects the belief that Senate Bill 119 provides a vital voice for the residents of Seneca County. Dr. Clay Wolph, president of the Seneca County Board of Health, emphasized the bill’s importance in ensuring decisions related to landfill operations are made in the best interest of the community and the environment. “Senate Bill 119 gives Seneca County residents a voice,” Dr. Wolph stated.

One key aspect addressed by the bill, according to the Seneca County Board of Health resolution, is the challenge posed by federal Interstate Commerce law and Ohio’s concerns regarding out-of-state trash. Currently, Interstate Commerce law prevents the imposition of higher fees for out-of-state trash, inadvertently incentivizing other states to utilize Ohio as a dumping ground. Senate Bill 119 aims to rectify this issue by equalizing disposal fees, irrespective of the waste’s origin.

Additionally, Senate Bill 119 proposes changes to Solid Waste Management Districts. At present, the Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca Joint Solid Waste Management District collects approximately 90% of its budget from the landfill situated in Seneca County. However, the allocated budget by the OSS Joint Solid Waste Management District for overseeing the landfill facility is a mere 2.4% of the district’s total budget. This imbalance results in Seneca County residents having to contend with numerous issues associated with the landfill, as outlined in the resolution.

Moreover, the current law restricts Seneca County from leaving the Joint Solid Waste Management District. The Seneca County Board of Health’s resolution contends that Senate Bill 119 provides a solution by enabling Seneca County to establish its own district, thereby addressing the concerns faced by the community.

Dr. Zachary West, vice president of the Seneca County Board of Health, expressed the board’s commitment to fulfilling its mission of promoting wellness, preventing disease, protecting the environment, and ensuring access to quality healthcare. “The Seneca County Board of Health continues to take a proactive approach in achieving its mission,” stated Dr. West. “We will continue in our steadfast commitment to Seneca County and all those residents that call Seneca County ‘home’.”