THOMASVILLE — After decades of uncertainty about who receives how much revenue, if any, from the city-county landfill operation, Thomas County commissioners and Thomasville City Council members have a plan.

Landfill agreements began in 1973, and were revised a couple of times, but the city never received an ongoing amount of money for operation of the landfill on 600 acres of land owned by county government.

The landfill represents a long relationship with the county, city attorney Tim Sanders said at a Monday council meeting.

“The city will be solely responsible for operation of the landfill,” Sanders said.

The 50-year amended agreement — approved by commissioners last week and by the council Monday — provides payment of $25,000 a month from the city to the county government.

Previously, landfill profits were supposed to be split between the city and county, but the arrangement did not always result in payments for long periods of time.

“It has been a bone of contention for decades now,” Council member David Hufstetler said, noting city use of hundreds of acres of county-owned land.

Said county Commission Chairman Phillip Brown, “We look for a long-term working relationship with this agreement.” 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820