County requests split from waste district

TIFFIN — Seneca County commissioners officially voted unanimously on Tuesday to request a withdrawal from the Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca (OSS) Solid Waste Management District, initiating a multi-year separation process made possible by Senate Bill 147. The move was formally authorized by Resolution 2025-220 under the specific terms of R.C. 3734.522. Rationale for seeking independence The move to create a county-specific district follows consistent arguments from the commissioners, who believe Seneca County residents would be better served by controlling their own solid waste management. Commissioners have emphasized their desire for local control to address issues related to the operation of the large WIN Waste Innovations landfill located within the county. They have stated that fees and revenue generated from solid waste disposal in Seneca County should be dedicated solely to addressing the county's specific needs, including any problems stemming from the landfill's presence and operations. The county's departure from OSS carries a potentially significant financial impact on shared revenue and funding for county recycling and household hazardous waste programs, though official financial figures and updated program costs have been requested. The withdrawal process According to the Ohio Legislature, the new law allows a county to unilaterally leave a joint solid waste district by passing a resolution and providing notification to the other member counties (Ottawa and Sandusky) and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The withdrawal process begins with a two-year transition period guided by a Memorandum of Understanding, which the member counties must negotiate. If an agreement on the MOU cannot be reached, a court of common pleas in an adjacent county will determine the terms within 90 days. Once the two-year MOU expires, Seneca County will officially become its own standalone solid waste district. The OSS district would then be required to either reorganize with the remaining counties or dissolve completely. The Ohio EPA and the existing OSS board will ultimately oversee the legally mandated division of all district assets and liabilities.