Vernon County, Wisconsin, landfill expansion remains stalled amid DNR delays

Vernon County, Wisconsin, officials remain divided over a proposed landfill expansion as state permitting delays and financial concerns continue to stall progress.

At a March 17 joint meeting of the county’s finance and infrastructure committees, officials debated whether to continue supporting the project, which has been delayed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pending requests for extensive geological testing.

The expansion, first approved by the Vernon County Board of Supervisors in 2023, would add more than 427,000 cubic yards of capacity and extend the landfill’s lifespan by an estimated 15 years. However, repeated DNR requests for further analysis—particularly related to the site’s location on karst geology—have slowed the approval process.

County finance officials said the landfill’s net position declined by nearly $1.8 million from 2014-2025 and warned against additional investment, citing risks to the county’s broader financial position.

Officials also debated whether the landfill should continue operating as an enterprise fund or be evaluated as a public service, with some warning that closure could increase reliance on private haulers and raise disposal costs.

Separately, a recent airspace survey identified about 15,000 cubic yards of additional short-term capacity, easing immediate concerns about available space but not resolving longer-term constraints.

No decisions were made at the meeting, and the project remains under DNR review.