Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Landfill Budget And Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lincoln County considers major landfill fee increases and assessment hike to close budget shortfall
Summary
County staff proposed raising per-load landfill fees and increasing the annual assessment from $150 to $160 with a 3% annual increase for five years; commissioners asked staff to model budget impacts and return with a draft resolution and public hearing date.
Lincoln County commissioners heard a comprehensive review of proposed changes to landfill fees and the county assessment during their June 25 meeting, and asked staff to model the budget effects before scheduling a public hearing.
County staff outlined a package of fee changes intended to reduce a budget shortfall at the county’s Class II landfill in Libby and to standardize charges across the county’s Eureka and Troy facilities. The proposal would set demolition/unsorted loads at $45 per cubic yard (up from an 8/16 split in prior pricing), concrete/rock at $12 per cubic yard (proposed), asbestos‑containing material at $40 per cubic yard, and new uncovered‑load and refrigerator/AC disposal fees. The county also proposed a universal commercial tire fee and extending charges that previously applied only to businesses to residential users in some categories.
In detail, staff said uncovered loads would be assessed $48 per load, stump loads would have a $45 fee for six cubic yards or less (and higher rates for larger loads), and charges for large or unsorted loads would be revised to reduce unofficial dumping and cover hauling and disposal costs. The proposal also formalizes interest on past due invoices at 1.5% per month.
Most consequential for taxpayers, the county manager presented a proposal to change the current annual landfill assessment from $150 to $160 immediately and then apply a 3% annual increase for five years. Staff said that change, combined with revised fees and better assessment enforcement, would largely cover the department’s current shortfall but would not fully fund equipment replacement, cell development or additional staffing should operations continue to expand.
Commissioners pressed staff for precise budget projections. One commissioner said raising the base assessment now and applying a 3% annual escalation would be easier for residents to accept than a larger one‑time jump. County staff agreed to rerun the numbers at the proposed $160 base and produce firm budget figures showing effects on the current shortfall and on long‑term capital needs.
The board did not adopt a final resolution at the meeting. Instead, it directed staff to return with updated financials and a draft resolution; the fee increase will require a public hearing and legal notice before any change takes effect.
Next steps: staff will provide the revised budget modeling and a proposed resolution; the board will set a public hearing and take public comment before voting on any fee changes.
