The Litter Task Force is focused on finding solutions for Marion County’s litter problem, and ideas for tackling this issue were discussed during a workshop that was held on Tuesday.
Established by the Marion County Board of County Commissioners at a board meeting in August of 2021, the Litter Task Force officially kicked off on September 27, 2021. The task force is comprised of elected officials and community members who have been working on a plan that Marion County can implement to reduce litter.
On Tuesday, Beth McCall, Litter Task Force Chairperson, began the workshop by stating, “We have a beautiful county, and when we see all that trash, it is heartbreaking.” She then presented the four committee chairs of the task force: Lauren Debick (Community Outreach and Education), Bill Gladson (Ordinances and Enforcement), John Paglia III (Fiscal Committee), and Antoinette Davis (Marketing Committee).
During the workshop, each committee chairperson presented data that they have obtained with their committees regarding the litter problem in Marion County. They also presented ideas to help mitigate these issues within their categories, including community engagement, a litter-free pledge, increasing the fines for littering, and the inclusion of an annual awareness week in the community, among others.
The Litter Task Force has one last meeting to be scheduled which will result in the completion of a final plan. Proposed changes to any ordinance would be drafted by the County Attorney in collaboration with local and state law enforcement, and then those ordinance changes would be presented to the Marion County Board of County Commissioners during a public hearing.
All other items that require approval from Marion County commissioners will be brought forward in upcoming board meetings which will be held over the next few months.
Marion County commissioner Craig Curry concluded Tuesday’s workshop by stating, “Now the real work begins.”