Bonner County Solid Waste staff reported on Nov. 10 that fiscal-year tonnage fell by 1.98% compared with the prior year, but transportation and disposal costs rose—primarily because vendor rates increased and roll-off billing moved from a flat monthly fee to a per-trip charge. "Our tonnage for the fiscal year decreased by 1.98%," a staff presenter said, and later noted a roughly $68,000 increase in transportation and disposal costs despite the tonnage drop.

Why it matters: the county’s existing revenue figures for collection sites reflect only cash-paying customers (hand tallies) and do not capture the full picture of site usage or commercial dumping. Staff said Duford is the busiest site and that metal revenue rose while e-waste decreased as CRT televisions vanish from the stream.

Commissioners requested more granular data. Board members asked staff to calculate percentage changes in site revenue, break down the drivers for large dollar swings at specific sites (Colburn was cited as nearly a $100,000 difference in the comparison), and provide a plan to capture commercial versus household disposal. Staff said they will produce the requested breakdowns and are working toward a point-of-sale system to improve data capture.

Stickers, brochures and verification: staff previewed new brochures and a new white-background sticker for residents, added household hazardous-waste schedules to the brochure’s back and said stickers are intended to be more visible than last year’s letter. The transcript includes a denomination discussion—staff and commissioners referenced a $97 sticker and a separate $1.94 line item—without a clear single-line explanation; staff agreed to provide clear labeling on forms and mailings.

Residency enforcement: commissioners raised concerns that cash pay procedures are inconsistent across sites and that some contractors or businesses could be using household stickers to dump commercial loads. The board asked staff to propose a countywide residency-verification policy (for example, proof of current address for cash payers) to make enforcement consistent rather than relying on site attendant discretion.

What’s next: staff will provide percentage-change breakdowns for site revenue, share the Q&A script they are using at sites, continue work toward a point-of-sale system, and recommend residency-verification steps for cash-paying customers.