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County and city discuss rising tipping fees and transfer-station needs; possible transport alternatives examined
Summary
Public works and county officials told the joint meeting the current transfer-station agreement and disposal rates are under review; county staff expect tipping fees to rise possibly 10–20% and are evaluating bypassing the transfer station to reduce costs but will consult the city before decisions.
City Public Works Director Justin Johnson and county officials updated the joint Lewiston City Council and Nez Perce County Commission on June 17 about sanitation and transfer-station arrangements, saying existing agreements and long-flat tipping fees are under review amid rising costs.
Johnson said an updated transfer-station use agreement has been drafted and is under county review. He told the meeting the city is considering updated disposal rates from its vendor (Sunshine Disposal) and that the county’s contract with the landfill operator will expire at the end of 2025.
County officials said they have observed tipping fees had remained largely unchanged for more than a decade (about $49.90 historically) but now expect fee increases in the range of 10% to 20% owing to labor, fuel and closure/post-closure costs. One county speaker noted the landfill may not build additional cells and that an earlier projection for closure timing affects financial models and closure liability funding.
The county reported it was reviewing options including bypassing the transfer station and transporting waste to more distant disposal sites; officials said transportation and extra mileage (roughly 66 miles one way to certain sites mentioned) must be fully costed before any change. "Once I collect all my data and everything, we'll meet with the city before we make a decision," a county commissioner said.
Public works staff also described planned capital maintenance at the transfer station — updated scales, a road reconstruction into the facility and a replacement/repair of the tipping-floor surface — but said the floor project will likely occur in 2026–27 and will temporarily affect users. Officials stressed the city and county will coordinate timing and user notice before major work.
No formal rate decision was made at the meeting; county and city staff will continue analysis and report back.
