Inflationary changes since the budget planning season have disrupted an annual requirement for the Washington County Recycling Center.

The Washington County Board of Supervisors tabled a resolution Tuesday to acknowledge a closure account for the recycling center as required by Iowa Code and the Department of Natural Resources. The county has traditionally budgeted $5,000, though the resolution lists $5,250. County Engineer Jacob Thorius said he added the $250 to account for cost inflation, and his number was based on information given by the DNR. County Auditor Dan Widmer says their current permit for the facility expires on May 19th, though they have a one-month extension after that date to submit the renewal paperwork, “What we don’t want to happen is for them to say, ‘Okay, we don’t have your completed renewal application and so therefore we have to close the doors until you get that taken care of.’”

It wasn’t stipulated how soon a budget amendment could be published and approved for fiscal year 2023, and Widmer said he will speak with the state auditor’s office to see if they have any suggestions in order to avoid losing their permit. Thorius said he will get a second opinion from another county engineer on his cost estimate to close the facility. Also tabled at Tuesday’s meeting were a revision to the ambulance service policy manual and a safety committee update from Human Resources Director Amber Armbruster.