Two rural services cut as Holmes County looks to rein in costs

The Holmes County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted to abolish two longstanding county services during a meeting September 15, eliminating the county’s dirt distribution policy and its animal burial service amid concerns over rising fuel and operating costs and continued pressure on the county budget.

Commissioner Wade Ellenberg raised concerns about the expense associated with continuing the services, particularly the fuel, equipment, and employee time required to provide them.

Following discussion, the board voted unanimously to discontinue both programs.

Under the county’s dirt policy, residents had been permitted to receive up to two loads of surplus spoil dirt per valid 911 address each calendar year, subject to the availability of material and county resources. The dirt generally came from ditch and right-of-way maintenance performed by county road crews.

County records show the formal surplus dirt policy dated back to at least January 31, 2017. Commissioners later replaced that policy on November 14, 2017, adopting guidelines that continued the two-load annual limit and established requirements governing where county crews could deliver the material.

The program had therefore been in place in some form for more than nine years when commissioners abolished it September 15.

The county’s animal burial service was also eliminated as part of the unanimous action. Through the service, county resources and equipment had been used to assist with the burial of dead farm animals.

Following the decision, Commissioner Clint Erickson issued a public statement explaining the reasoning behind the cuts.

“Due to the recent rise in fuel and operating costs, the Board of County Commissioners has decided to stop the ditch dirt policy and the practice of burying dead farm animals,” Erickson said.

Erickson said the changes were intended to reduce expenses while commissioners continue examining the county’s finances.

“These decisions are being made with the goal of reducing unnecessary fuel, equipment, and operational costs while we continue to be good stewards of the taxpayers’ money,” Erickson said.

He also acknowledged that eliminating the programs could have a particular impact on residents in the county’s rural areas who had relied on the services.

“I understand these services have been helpful to many of our rural residents, and I know this may be disappointing to some,” Erickson said. “However, we have to continue looking at ways to control expenses while maintaining the services that are most important to the county.”

The county subsequently posted a public notice confirming the changes, stating that, effective Sept. 15, Holmes County had abolished the dirt policy and would no longer bury animals.

The unanimous decision marks the end of two services that had allowed county equipment, personnel and fuel to be used to provide direct assistance to residents. The move comes as commissioners continue examining county expenditures and looking for areas where operating costs can be reduced while maintaining other county services.