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County hears proposal for large transfer-station fee hike as operator cites wage, regulatory and program costs
Summary
Columbia County staff and the current operator outlined a proposal that would raise the annual operator fee for the county transfer station to about $1.43 million in 2026, up from roughly $156,000; commissioners requested further cost comparisons and staff said the contract could appear on consent next week after final edits.
Columbia County commissioners heard an update March 11 on a near-final contract to operate the county transfer station that includes a proposed increase in the operator's annual fee to roughly $1,427,000 for 2026, a rise staff described as roughly 67% compared with the current annual payment of about $156,000.
Public Works Director Michael Russell summarized negotiations and the county's work to finalize the contract, saying the parties had reached agreement on most terms and that staff planned to place the contract on the consent agenda next week after completing final edits. Russell said the operator's 2026 financial proposal reflects built-up costs, indexing to CPI and several drivers that changed since the county's last full procurement.
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