"Fines of up to $10,000 per day are possible depending on the outcome of the investigation, which could take more than a year, according to Natterman."
It would appear that our elected officials are not competent. "..we did not realize we should have had those devices in a storage container to keep it off the ground" is not an acceptable reason and does not make it excusable. The officials responsible would not accept this statement from a citizen of this county, so they should not offer it as an excuse.
It is common knowledge of the average citizen that computers and CRT monitors (TV tubes) must be disposed as hazardous waste.