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Oceana County raises mattress fees, sets per-ton charge and approves on-site staffing at transfer station
Summary
The Oceana County Board approved a package of Transfer Station changes June 26, 2025: mattress fees increase to $30 with a four-piece daily limit (and $40 per item over four), a per-ton fee set at $85 tied to scale and card-reader operation, and a short-term American Classic on-site staffing agreement to study operations.
The Oceana County Board of Commissioners on June 26 approved new fees and a short-term staffing contract for the county Transfer Station aimed at preparing for scale-based billing and credit-card payments.
The board voted to increase the per-mattress disposal fee from $20 to $30 and to impose a limit of four mattresses per customer per day, with an additional charge of $40 for each mattress beyond four. The change takes effect July 8, 2025. "We need the limit so customers with large quantities are referred to the landfill," Commissioner Joel McCormick said during committee discussion.
The board also approved a per-ton waste disposal fee of $85 to be charged based on truck-scale weights "when the credit card machine is installed and operational," and directed staff to collect trial weights in the interim so customers can see expected charges. Chairperson Robert H. Walker and other commissioners discussed options for interim internet service (including Starlink or Truestream) to support card payments.
To better understand daily operations before any future changes, the board approved a contract with American Classic for on-site Transfer Station staffing: 25 hours per week at $50 per hour. The agreement was described as a short-term measure "for the purpose of understanding the daily flow and operations." The motion was moved by Joel McCormick, supported by Paul Erickson, and approved by roll call.
Administrator Tracy Byard told commissioners that staff are working on site preparation and internet installation to enable card payments. Commissioners said they wanted public notices published close to the effective date to avoid a pre-change rush of mattresses to the facility.
The board also heard that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE) has introduced a $700 annual inspection fee for transfer stations and plans increased enforcement of compliance; Commissioners discussed that regulatory and freight costs factor into local pricing decisions. The board approved the Transfer Station changes by recorded votes where specified and by voice vote where noted. The Transfer Station lease with Ferry Township and other operational expenses were also reviewed as part of the packet.
Next steps: staff will publish public notices of the fee changes, continue work to get internet and a credit-card reader installed at the Transfer Station, track trial weights for customers, and implement the American Classic staffing plan.
