A.D. Ibarra
-Commissioner's Court

    The Maverick County Solid Waste Authority held a meeting Thursday at the Commissioner's Court Room where they specifically discussed how they will put to use the available funds of the MCSWA in order to address existing and future debt service, TCEQ regulations and other financial demands to be transferred to Maverick County as requested by County Judge David Saucedo at their recent  August 6th meeting.
    The board in relation to the $500,000.00 obligation requested, agreed to make two lump-sum installments to the county of $250,000.00, the first coming up on October 1st and the second coming at the mid-point of the fiscal year on April 1st of 2016.
    Among other important issues discussed, were a series of budget amendments which are needed to address the upkeep and maintenance of heavy machinery and the suggestion was even made by board members to look into the purchase of new and/or leased equipment in order to avoid any future maintenance issues, preferring to have all heavy machinery under warranty.
    Also approved was a budget amendment which will be used to replenish the facility with available caliche which is used when it rains to create a stable surface by which all vehicles and tractors can move without losing traction thus compacting the existing roadways and pathways they take to move in and around Cell #2 which is functioning well and may need to be capped off within the next two years as planning and preparation for Cell #3 gets underway.
    According to Landfill Manager Mike Castillo, he and the board are hoping to begin the construction of Cell #3 with existing funds they are putting away in order to avoid having to get a loan as they did with Cell #2.