Panola County commissioners voted to terminate an agreement with the City of Carthage for the management and operation of a solid waste transfer station. The decision was made during a packed meeting at the commissioner’s court in Carthage, Texas.

Background

The ongoing debate about trash services in Panola County continued on Tuesday. Resident Robert DelConte expressed concerns about the county’s future with the trash service, stating that he doesn’t understand how negotiations can occur after the contract was ended.

DelConte believes that taxpayers and residential haulers should still have access to the trash service, despite the city’s move to bar commercial dumping. The city is exploring revisions to distinguish between large commercial waste haulers and local residential collection companies.

Impact on Local Businesses

RPM Trash, a family-owned residential waste company in Panola County, is worried about the county’s future without a local transfer station. Owner Jamey Baker fears that customers may not be able to afford trash services, leading to trashed county roads.

Baker’s company has raised rates to offset out-of-county hauling costs and has lost about 50 customers. Alisha Norris, owner of Countrywide Trash Services, believes that the commissioners are working hard to find a solution.

Next Steps

Panola County Judge Rodger McLane stated that negotiations are ongoing and a solution could be decided by late summer or early fall. McLane emphasized that the county is not trying to negotiate a contract on social media and asked for time to figure out the details.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.