Updated July 16, 2019

Lawrence County officials are apologizing after increasing the county’s disposal costs without publicizing the change.

County Executive T.R. Williams said in a formal statement online that several residents were caught off guard by these charges, and he was truly sorry.

Williams also apologized to the solid waste employees, who bore the brunt of everyone’s frustration.

Following a decade of losses due to a market decrease for recyclables in the county’s solid waste department and the loss of income from, the local commission approved the increase of fees last month,  but did not publicize the new prices before they took effect on July 1.

Solid Waste Director Gary Wayne Hyde previously said that the department’s rate has decreased from $150 per ton to $40.

The county charges $3 per passenger tire, $8 for tractor-trailer tires, $12 for tractor tires and $30 for heavy equipment tires. It previously charged $1.25, $4, and $5.50 for the same tires. There is also a $5 charge for mattresses and box springs.

Pallet disposal is set at $1 each and large loads will be charged at the ton rate.

Williams said when commissioners planned the 2019-20 budget, we were faced with a $270,000 shortfall in solid waste and the fund balance that covered expenses over the past 10 years is gone.

Williams said the increases have been been considered by the county commission for several years.

According to county representatives, curbside pickup is not planned.