Butler County continues to move closer to having a county-wide recycling program as County Engineer Darryl Lutz met with Butler County Commissioners during their meeting Monday to provide an update on the current status of the proposed plan.

The plan was developed by a task force comprised of a cross-section of people from across the county.

It included having the four large cities – El Dorado, Augusta, Rose Hill and Andover – provide curbside recycling collection service to their communities. This service will be paid for by a user fee assessed by the city.

Other cities throughout the county would receive recycling collection services from the county via an expanded trailer or drop-off program. The smaller cities, as well as the rural users, would be assessed a charge directly from the county for this service. These services would be paid for by a user fee assessed by the county back to these cities and rural residential homeowners. General administration, education and processing for recycling would be considered a county-wide function and is proposed to be funded with a county-wide tax or assessment as well as through revenues generated by the sale of recyclables.

Lutz believes the plan is ready for public presentation.

“We feel comfortable that we have a good plan and now we have to present this to the citizens and make sure they get a chance to ask any outstanding questions,” he said.

To that end, Lutz is proposing four separate city meetings to get feedback from citizens and with luck, confirmation of support for the plan. Full  details on the various aspects of the plans will be presented at the meetings and questions answered.

Lutz is optimistic about the meetings providing a chance to ease any concerns citizens may have.

“It will be a chance to let them know what is in the plan and how it will  affect their area,” he said.

Following the proposed meeting dates, Lutz would then like the commission to host an official public hearing to consider adoption of the recycling plan. He also outlined to commissioners how he planned to present the plan and the details comprising it during the meetings.

Lutz said the plan is still prospective and subject to change at this time.

One important aspect of the plan Lutz will be looking at is a reasonable cost.

“We want to set up a funding scenario that is fair and equitable to everyone  in the county,” he said. “How exactly that will all work out, along with everything else, is what we’re looking to lock down with these meetings after hearing the public’s concerns.”

In El Dorado, the system would use the city’s existing recycling center, with additional facilities sought if needed.