Landfill finances and 2027 rate increases
Summary
Todd Lauer pushed for details on the landfill's closure and post-closure accounts. Commissioners explained the funds come from landfill operating costs, are legally restricted, and now stand below $40 million (around $33 million) as fields are closed — they're currently on field 12.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 14
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 15, 2026.
Impact analysis
Roughly $33 million remains set aside in restricted closure/post-closure funds.
County taxpayers, who are protected from future closure liabilities because the funds are set aside.
Taxpayers absorb the risk if the landfill cannot generate enough income to pay off the bonds.
Mentions & discussions (14)
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-10-15
The landfill lost money again in 2025 — roughly $1-2 million without DEP-required interest earnings — so rates are going up $5/ton across the board in 2027. Commissioner Sortman says the facility is trending toward break-even but fixing it is a long haul.
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-08-13
The landfill operator is managing stormwater better and switching to a cheaper descaling chemical, cutting leachate volumes and avoiding a $1.5 million pipe replacement. Leachate hauling cost nearly $923,000 in 2025.
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-08-06
Six months after hiring the Clinton County Municipal Waste Authority to run the county landfill, net revenue is up about $1.46 million and tonnage is up 3,676.8 tons versus the same period last year. A $1.5 million leachate pipe project is on hold and the long-stalled expansion is finally moving. Trash rates went up, but commissioners say it's working.
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-07-30
A recurring online critic questioned why Lycoming County is partnering with the 'failing' Wayne Township landfill. Commissioner Sortman clarified the partnership is with the Clinton County Municipal Waste Authority, and said tonnage and profits are up since the February decision.
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-07-23
An online commenter accused commissioners of favoritism on a landfill hire and asked about rumors of selling the transfer station to a rival landfill. Commissioners flatly denied any sale talks and laid out the grim financial picture: $27 million in landfill debt, $100,000 a month in recycling losses, and roughly seven years of capacity left — making the federal-land expansion critical.
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-07-16
A resident is questioning why the county hired its landfill rival to manage the county landfill, alleging conflicts of interest, safety problems, and a $250,000 director hire. Commissioners strongly defended the two-year deal, saying it has saved money, ended taxpayer subsidies of the landfill, and advanced the expansion.
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-07-09
The landfill is fully staffed for the first time in years, passed a DEP inspection with no violations, and got leachate below 25% capacity despite a very wet June — a big operational turnaround.
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-06-18
Recycling rates jump from $44 to $55 per ton on August 3, and glass is out of curbside single-stream. Commissioners say glass has no market value and was hurting the landfill financially, but drop-off centers and black-bucket county truck collection remain.
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-06-11
The county recycling operation loses about $100,000 a month, and commissioners plan to pull glass out of single-stream collection and possibly charge bars and restaurants for glass. Glass drop-off recycling will continue; final votes are expected within two weeks.
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-06-04
The annual landfill report shows about 2.5 million tons of capacity left — under 8 years with no expansion — and the permit process could take up to 5 years. Commissioners call expansion critical.
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-04-30
The county landfill has only about six years of space left, and DEP permitting for the expansion could take up to five years — including a year of groundwater monitoring before the application is even filed. Commissioners approved the proposal plus $617,500 in engineering and geology agreements to start now. Without it, the central Pennsylvania region would have few options for its waste.
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-02-12
Todd Lauer pushed for details on the landfill's closure and post-closure accounts. Commissioners explained the funds come from landfill operating costs, are legally restricted, and now stand below $40 million (around $33 million) as fields are closed — they're currently on field 12.
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-02-05
Todd Lauer criticized past commissioners' landfill spending and the $27 million debt. Commissioners explained the debt is from old bonds and that the landfill must expand within about eight years to generate income to pay it off; the leachate suit was settled in the county's favor.
Board of Commissioners Video — 2026-01-29
The county has brought in the Clinton County Solid Waste Authority to run its landfill for two years after learning the facility is $27 million in debt and losing money. Commissioners say expansion permitting must begin immediately — only about eight years of capacity remain and permitting takes roughly five years. Without a solution, the county could lose its landfill and face costly waste hauling.
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