Oceana County removes proposed gate and card fees from Transfer Station schedule; new rates take effect Aug. 4

The Oceana County Board approved changes to the Transfer Station fee schedule July 10 after discussion about proposed vehicle gate fees and a 3% credit/debit card processing surcharge.

Chairperson Robert H. Walker said he was reluctant to impose a fixed gate fee that could charge "someone with one bag of waste" roughly $9 and urged instead that disposal rates be adjusted to cover operating costs. Administrator Tracy Byard clarified the record, noting that a $3 gate fee had been charged previously but that proposed language in the draft fee schedule also showed a $4 per-vehicle gate fee plus a $5 environmental fee. Commissioners agreed to remove the gate fee and the proposed card-processing surcharge and to rely on rate adjustments (such as the tonnage charge) to cover processing costs moving forward.

Commissioner Joel McCormick and others recommended setting the new schedule to take effect Aug. 4, 2025, to allow staff time to notify customers and publish updated materials. The board also discussed operational steps: using truck scales to estimate charges (staff will begin weighing vehicles and record weights manually until scale paper arrives) and coordinating with contractor American Classic on cleanup and customer feedback.

The transfer-station changes were adopted as part of Motion #2025-80; the Board recorded a roll-call vote in favor of the motion.