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Minong board weighs fees, governance changes to make Transfer Station self-sustaining
Summary
The Minong Town Board reviewed proposals for a Transfer Station Board to create a self-sustaining budget by 2027, including an optional annual resident fee, vehicle access cards or a card reader, and shifting payroll and billing administration; ownership splits and representation were discussed.
The Minong Town Board at a May 5 special meeting considered a package of governance and operational changes intended to make the shared Transfer Station (TS) financially self-sustaining. Discussion centered on a proposed Transfer Station Board charter, user-fee options and operational duties that town officials say could free funds for road repair if the TS requires less municipal subsidy.
The proposals were introduced by board member Dean Patrick and discussed with Clerk/Treasurer Susan Conaway and other officials. Patrick said the TS meeting raised “a number of interesting conversation[s] around hours, fees and even an idea brought up possibly any resident that would like to use the TS pay a fee every year and it would be optional on if you wanted to do that or not; this could help the TS be self-sustaining.” Conaway clarified how an access card system would work: “it would essentially be the same as it is now except you would receive the TS Card from them and not the municipalities.”
Why it matters: the board signaled that reducing municipal subsidies for the TS could allow reallocation of local funds into a new budget category for blacktop road repair and upkeep. Officials also discussed measures to clarify who pays for which services and how the TS is managed across participating municipalities.
Key governance proposals reviewed by the board (as summarized during the meeting) include requiring the Transfer Station Board to: develop a self-sustaining budget starting in 2027; obtain its own insurance; manage employee compensation and hiring within the approved budget; prepare detailed job descriptions for TS staff (including a supervisor who can research contractors for tire and metal pickup); and refer changes in hours of operation back to the municipalities for approval. The group cited the ownership split for the TS as 42.5% for the Town, 42.5% for the Village and 15% for the Town of Frog Creek and said representation on the TS Board should reflect that split.
Operational items for 2027 discussed during the meeting included maintaining current seasonal hours (four days in summer, three starting in September), reviewing non-resident rates (per-bag vs. $0.50 per pound), defining municipal ‘free days,’ scheduling compactor pickups, mattress handling, and bidding out plowing, mowing, crushing/loading of scrap and building/grounds maintenance. Board members and staff discussed outsourcing payroll, deposits and monthly bill payments to the Town of Minong administration if the municipalities agree to that approach.
Jim Smith, identified as a prior TS committee member, urged clearer labeling of disposal bins and listed items that require specific handling: “tube TVs, fluorescent light bulbs and batteries,” and the board agreed every bin should be marked to avoid contamination. The meeting record also notes commercial users bringing household garbage would be charged a per-ton fee and that if a municipality chooses to exit the shared TS the withdrawal would need to occur at the end of the contract year. Officials said the Town of Frog Creek will purchase gravel while the Town of Minong will perform grading and be paid for that work.
What happens next: the board reviewed the proposed TS Board duties and operational recommendations and did not adopt a final ordinance or fee at the May 5 meeting; further work by the TS Board and municipalities is required to draft a budget, insurance and any access-card or fee systems before changes take effect in 2027.
