With the increasing cost of tire disposal, the county is potentially looking into purchasing a tire shredder in an attempt to save money. 

At the county Safety and Beer Board Committee meeting Monday night, Sanitation Department director Josh Roberts gave his 2022 report. Last year he says they hauled 34,047 passenger tires and 2,954 truck and tractor tires which cost the county $100,772.28.

“There is a fine line there and the more I dig into it the more legal issues come into it. Some counties started charging and then here come some lawsuits. They say you can’t charge me because I’ve paid my dollar. If we decide to do it and write that policy, the wording is going to have to go through Robert Bratcher,” said Roberts.

Roberts explained there is currently not a policy for charging businesses. He says the county would have to create a policy because other counties trying this are getting sued. Roberts also told the commissioners about a new state law that could help save the county money. 

“There is a new state law that has come into effect that says if your tires are quartered or shredded you can landfill them as long as it is cheaper than recycling them,” said Roberts.

The county would have to buy a tire cutter and quarter them. It would cost $45.29 to send tires to a landfill and it costs $160 to recycle them now. Commission Gary Prater asked how much a tire shredder would cost.

“I have been hearing around $350,000,” said Roberts.

“$350,000?” asked Lee.

“With the numbers I’ve run, we will save around $50,000 a year by doing that if you bought the shredder,” said Roberts.

Roberts also said shredding the tires would eliminate some of the injuries the trustees face when stacking the semi tires. He says most counties are shredding the tires instead of quartering. Commission Randy England asked what the lifespan of a shredder would be and Roberts said about 15 to 20 years with proper care. 

A decision on the shredder was not made at this meeting.