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Board moves to advertise ordinance exempting sole proprietors from higher tipping fee after contractor appeal
Summary
After testimony from Clinch River Tractor Service about rising tipping fees and operational strain, the board authorized advertising an amendment to the solid-waste ordinance to set a reduced rate for sole proprietors (placeholder $40 per unit) and invited further specification at a public hearing.
The county attorney recommended amending the solid-waste ordinance to create an exemption for sole proprietors who haul household, bagged residential garbage, citing the upcoming increase in the transfer-station tipping fee. The board discussed options and the mechanics of an exemption and directed staff to prepare an ordinance amendment for public advertisement.
Mike Dionne of Clinch River Tractor Service described the financial impact of higher tipping fees and said his company hauls household waste that otherwise would go to the county transfer station. He said the tipping-fee increase (cited in the hearing as a step change to about $47.15 per ton including transportation) has significantly increased operating costs and could jeopardize the viability of the service. "Our tipping fees are by far our greatest expense," Dionne said.
Board members discussed leaving a lower flat fee for sole proprietors for household-bagged residential pickups and not applying the exemption to commercial customers. On a motion, the board authorized advertising an amendment to the solid-waste ordinance to set the sole-proprietor fee at $40 (per unit) pending a public hearing and formal ordinance action. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Staff and the county attorney said the advertising and public-hearing process is the proper next step; the board will set a final rate and ordinance language after the public hearing and any additional fiscal analysis.
