Oceana County adopts truck-scale fees and continues transfer-station upgrades; Ferry Township lease revised

Oceana County commissioners on Aug. 14 approved a fee schedule for the county transfer-station truck scale and discussed ongoing operational improvements at the facility.

Commissioner Joel McCormick moved to adopt a fee of $15 for a first weigh and $10 for a same-day reweigh at the county transfer station; the motion passed by roll call. Administrator Tracy Byard reported that Starlink internet is active at the transfer station and a new credit-card system is already in use, and staff sold a county backhoe for $18,250 that was receipted to the general fund.

The board also approved a revision to a Ferry Township lease (Motion #2025-92) to clarify that the tenant will cover cleanup-day costs up to a $3,000 annual cap over the five-year lease. Commissioners discussed fee structure and contractor proposals; Commissioner McCormick said the goal was to keep fees flat and avoid layered gate or credit-card fees.

Why it matters: The fee and system changes make certified, legal weights available (suitable for licensing/certification), add electronic payments that may ease customer flow, and allocate cleanup costs contractually with Ferry Township. Administrator Byard and maintenance staff reported improvements designed to reduce prior Saturday traffic backups and disposal issues.

What’s next: Staff will continue to implement operational changes and finalize the hut and electrical hookups at the transfer station. Commissioners asked the administrator to circulate contractor feedback from early staff operations and to bring any further fee proposals back for consideration.