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Clear Creek County discusses transfer station funding, rising tipping fees; commissioners flag organic diversion
Summary
Staff reported lower visit counts at the transfer station and rising tipping fees; they proposed keeping a second roll‑off truck, a seasonal half‑FTE for operations and continuing fee changes. Commissioners asked staff to explore organic waste diversion and to return with policy options next year.
Julie and transfer‑station staff told the board the transfer station has seen a notable drop in visits — roughly 33% compared with three years earlier — and that tipping fees have increased. Staff said those changes have reduced revenue while fixed operating costs remain, raising long‑term sustainability concerns for the facility.
“Year over year, three years ago, we’re down 33% in visits…those fixed costs to operate that facility are now needing to be covered by a smaller and smaller population of the county,” the transfer‑station manager said.
Staff proposed retaining an older roll‑off truck (2006) with targeted repairs and asked the board to approve a half‑time seasonal FTE to reduce reliance on Road & Bridge operators and overtime. The half FTE is included in the current working package for capital and operational adjustments.
Commissioners asked staff to explore policies for organic‑waste diversion (composting) and asked for an options paper next year that examines equipment needs, operations and whether an end product could be sold or distributed locally. Commissioners also suggested staff evaluate outreach and fee impacts after the recent fee changes.
Ending: The board left the half‑FTE in the working budget and asked staff to return with policy options and cost estimates for organics diversion and for a plan to monitor the impact of the fee changes.
