Solid Waste Division proposes cashless convenience centers, fee changes to cover rising costs

County solid waste staff briefed commissioners on landfill and convenience center operations and proposed policy changes aimed at improving safety, reducing administrative costs and covering a shortfall at satellite sites.

Staff said overall transfer and construction & demolition tonnage have grown significantly since 2018 and that the department runs its operations from an enterprise fund; however, the five residential satellite convenience centers now rely on supplemental general fund support. The manager said those five sites cost more than $1 million to operate; the general fund currently contributes about $650,000 and the convenience sites run an approximate deficit of $400,000.

To address that gap, staff proposed eliminating cash handling at the five satellite centers and enforcing the existing Trash Pass volume limit (10 13‑gallon bags per visit), which would remove on‑site cash receipts and related administrative work. Staff also recommended eliminating the $10 television disposal fee, making electronics recycling free, and increasing certain landfill tipping rates (tier 1 MSW, C&D tiers and yard‑waste rates) to bring revenues closer to costs. Managers stressed that eliminating cash reduces security risks at remote sites and that administrative savings would offset some of the lost TV fee revenue.

Commissioners asked operational questions about policing repeat visitors, CRT television volumes and whether proposed rate adjustments would fully cover the deficit. Staff said the proposed rate changes would reduce the gap by roughly $700,000 but the convenience centers’ deficit would still need additional general fund contribution or further adjustments. No formal board action was taken on these proposals at the meeting; staff requested direction and flagged public outreach and implementation steps if the board supports the changes.