During commission comments on June 12, a Hays official updated the commission on a recent Ellis County Commission decision to change landfill fees: beginning Jan. 1 the county will add a 50% surcharge to the regular landfill fee for loads deemed "unsecured," with an initial warning period in the first months of implementation.

The speaker, identified in the transcript as Toby, told commissioners the change responds to repeated occurrences of trash and debris falling from trailers and pickups en route to the Ellis County landfill and that North Paul 40 First has been one corridor that experiences litter from unsecured loads. The county will require all vehicles to go across the scale so landfill staff can determine if a load is secured; unsecured loads will be charged the regular fee plus 50% of that fee. The county plans a grace period and is installing cameras to document loads and support enforcement.

Toby said the change will affect Hays residents who haul municipal waste, construction debris and tree limbs. Hays has an agreement allowing residents to drop limbs for free at the landfill if they follow county rules; the new policy will require those residents to go across the scale and secure their loads to avoid surcharge. James (staff) will assist with public relations and outreach to inform residents of the change.

Commissioners asked whether the county provided a definition of "secured." Toby said the county did define secured and will rely on camera documentation; commissioners noted some subjectivity will remain on enforcement and advised robust resident education.

No formal action by the Hays City Commission was taken; the item was an informational update and commissioners directed staff to coordinate public messaging ahead of the county implementation date.