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Bonner County begins new solid-waste sticker program; board clarifies transfer and prorate rules
Summary
Bonner County Solid Waste started a revised sticker/fee schedule Dec. 1 and staff reported few complaints; commissioners agreed to keep the current six‑month proration policy for new owners, let returned stickers be reassigned when logged, and to refine communications to residents about timing and mailing issues.
Bonner County began enforcing a revised sticker-and-fee program Dec. 1, solid-waste staff told the county commissioners on Dec. 8, and early signs show the change has not produced major customer backlash.
Director Howard said, “The new fees seem to be doing good. They started last Monday,” and described steps staff has taken to notify residents: inserts on commercial invoices, messages on reader boards, posts on Facebook and the county website, brochures to be packaged with stickers, on‑site QR codes and handout tags directing people to the brochure.
The board focused much of its discussion on how to treat stickers when property changes hands. Staff explained the county’s approach is tied to a proration allowance already in place: “we already do a 6‑month fee,” Director Howard said, describing the existing grace/proration window. Commissioners agreed they did not want to adopt a granular monthly proration system and generally supported continuing the six‑month approach while making limited exceptions when evidence shows a sticker is irretrievable (for example, adhered to a windshield).
Staff also described practical mailing complications that have arisen in the first distribution: some stickers were mailed to an old address or to an overseas address and may be returned. The board directed staff to log returned stickers, use returned inventory to satisfy verified replacement requests and to avoid automatically reissuing replacements before allowing time for postal returns.
A commissioner and a public commenter pushed back on any permanent reduction of site hours tied to the fee increase. A resident with two decades of experience using county sites urged keeping facilities open seven days a week if fees remain at current levels, arguing the public expects daily access. Commissioners noted that site hours and sticker rates are tied to overall disposal volume and operating costs, and that changing hours could lower sticker costs only if it reduces operational overhead.
What the board decided and what’s next: commissioners affirmed the existing six‑month proration policy for new owners, authorized staff to reassign returned stickers when there is a recorded return, and asked staff to improve early communication next year (distributing brochures and stickers earlier if the board adopts a similar Dec. 1 effective date). No formal motion or vote was recorded during the discussion.
Key numbers and clarifications: staff cited the household sticker charge used in calculations as $194; the county also referenced a resolution provision that sets the price for extra stickers at $5. The board asked staff to track mail/return cases and report back on any recommended procedural changes.
