The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted 4-0 to approve increases to residential assessments and tipping fees for solid waste disposal. In 2025, the annual residential assessment will increase by $7.68 per household. Commission Chairwoman Beth Narverud and Commissioner Steve Champion lightheartedly expressed their disapproval of rate increases, but ‘begrudgingly’ approved since the increase is stipulated in the County’s current contract with Republic Services.
The current collection assessment is $194.88 annually and will increase to $202.56 in 2025. Disposal assessments are $94.91 annually and will increase to $98.04. The combined increase comes to $0.90 per month.
Commissioners discussed the disposal assessments at length since they are not included in the contract with Republic. The vote was unanimous to approve an increase of 3.3 percent to the current disposal fee of $94.91 rather than the requested 9.9 percent.
Solid Waste Director Scott Harper justifies the increase due to a $1 million increase operating the convenience centers, increases in heavy equipment leases and his department’s debt service has gone up as well.
County Administrator Jeff Rogers added that funding a new landfill area or cell to contain solid waste is a major factor in the department’s increase in expenses. The county has incurred a $2 million annual debt service in order to build the cell.
During the discussion, Mark Tuma of Raftelis, a consulting firm that provides financial data to local governments, answered questions that arose during a budget workshop held on March 5, 2024. The board heard several proposals to generate revenue, including the closure of one of the two convenience facilities.
Champion immediately moved to deny the passage of the Disposal Fee Assessment increase, citing the funding of the Convenience facilities. Unlike park facilities, which are funded by patronage, the Convenience Centers are funded by ad-valorem taxes. Champion said, “If it’s convenient, you should pay for it. When I put my boat on the boat ramp, I pay $10 to park my car. Bob in the audience shouldn’t have to pay to park my boat.”
The County has taken on additional debt to fund projects already approved, such as software expansion at the Solid Waste Department. Faced with covering the County’s debt, Commissioners approved a 3.3 percent increase, which will raise the current disposal fee from $94.91 to $98.04.
