Snohomish County rate changes will raise transfer-station fees and likely add $3–$4 monthly to curbside bills in Mountlake Terrace

Snohomish County has reworked how it charges for solid-waste disposal, and county staff told the Mountlake Terrace City Council on Aug. 28 that the changes — approved by the Snohomish County Council — will raise fees at the Southwest Transfer Station and are likely to increase Mountlake Terrace curbside bills by roughly $3 to $4 per month, plus future inflation adjustments.

John Grenninger, operations manager for the Snohomish County Solid Waste Division, told council that the county separated its fee schedules and set a higher self-haul tipping rate and a lower hauler (curbside) rate. "Beginning Jan. 1, [2026], self-haul will be $160 per ton and curbside will be $149 per ton," Grenninger said, adding that the county estimates those changes will translate to about a $3–$4 monthly increase for most residential curbside customers. He also said the county approved a larger minimum-load charge: "360 pounds will now be $30 beginning January 1." (360 pounds is the stated minimum-load threshold.)

Gary Shymick, Mountlake Terrace public works director, joined Grenninger in answering council questions. Shymick said Waste Management remains the city's contracted hauler for curbside collection and that haulers will work with the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) and each contract city to set final customer rates after the county's fee notice. "Haulers will…