MOUNT VERNON — Knox County’s recycling director told commissioners Thursday that the program is closing out a busy year. It has a reopened compost facility, upgraded drop-off sites and a healthy budget.
Matt Baugher, director of Knox County Recycling and Litter Prevention, said about 100 volunteers took part in the Sept. 19 River Rally. They filled four dumpsters donated by Republic Services.
Mount Vernon High School, Key Clubs, scout groups and Friends of the Kokosing State Scenic River joined the cleanup.
Volunteers pulled old bicycles, cans and bottles from the river.
“Just fantastic volunteer work,” Baugher said of the effort. “I’m very thankful that we do this so often that it’s not as bad as it used to be.”
Next year’s rally is set for Saturday, Sept. 11. Baugher is seeking new volunteer groups; anyone interested can contact him at 740-393-6704.
Compost facility has new vibe
The county’s compost facility is now on winter hours. It is open Monday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. It closes on holidays and Sundays.
Staff now check IDs at the site, and crews installed electricity at the shed. Business use has dropped considerably, Baugher said. Residents have responded well.
“The vibe shifted the last couple of months. People are happy it’s open. People know it’s safe. It is organized,” he said.
Liberty drop-off site gets improvements
Liberty Township’s recycling site has new pavement, and crews are installing a fence. A grant from the Delaware-Knox-Marion-Morrow Solid Waste District paid for the work. The district funds improvements each year at the site that needs them most.
Centerburg’s bins closed for a year, and the neighboring sites overflowed. Baugher called the closure “the biggest thorn in my side the last year.”
The county reached a deal with the village to place six bins at 40 N. Clayton Street. They will stay about a year, until the village’s street garage goes up on Miller Street. In exchange for site improvements, the county will sign a 10-year, no-cost lease with the village.
“We’re super excited to get those bins brought back for their residents. Not only will that help Centerburg and all the residents, it’ll help all the neighboring bins,” Baugher said.
Budget looks in good shape for 2027
Baugher is working on the department’s 2027 budget.
“We’re in good shape due to a lot of great sponsors. A lot of operating costs went down,” Baugher said.
“We used to spend thousands of dollars on these contracts, but they know us, they know the volunteers, so a lot of that’s been donated.”
Upcoming events
The county will collect used holiday string lights starting Thanksgiving week and continuing into January. Containers will sit at the county service center, and Baugher hopes to add one in Apple Valley. Accurate IT in Columbus will recycle the lights.
The county will hold a household hazardous waste event Saturday, April 10, at the Knox County Fairgrounds. Residents can drop off propane cylinders, adhesives, antifreeze, paint, gasoline and herbicide. The county usually holds the event on a weekday.
Baugher also reminded residents to tape both ends of batteries before dropping them off. He said Batteries Unlimited takes nearly all types, including hazardous ones.
However, the shop does not accept electric vehicle batteries. The county cannot take lead-acid batteries.
Friends of the Kokosing hosted Wild Wings of Ohio with the Ohio Falconry School and the Knox County Park District. The event filled the parking lot at the new Woodlands park.
“It was a beautiful day. We had falcons, owls, redtail hawk, a Chilean blue eagle, and then Dave and I led hikes throughout the old growth forest network,” Baugher said. “Learning about our birds of prey was super fun and exciting.”
Commissioners take action
Commissioners approved the following items Thursday:
- Resolution accepting the amounts and rates set by the Budget Commission. State tax legislation delayed the certification.
- 2027 grant agreement with DKMM for $81,052. The money pays for the recycling director’s position and supplies.
- Utility permit for BrightSpeed on Sycamore Road in Milford Township.
- Utility permit for Licking Rural Electric on Amity Road in Pike Township.
- Amended 2026 opioid remediation grant application for the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, not to exceed $175,387.48.
- U.S. Department of Justice award of $17,985.65 for the sheriff’s county violent crime initiative, funded through Project Safe Neighborhoods.
- Snowplow agreement with Longs Lawn and Grounds Maintenance for Job and Family Services’ Opportunity Knox.
