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Public hearing held on proposed KM Solid Waste Transfer Site rate increases; director warns program "operating in the red"
Summary
At a Jan. 6 public hearing the county discussed proposed rate increases for the KM Solid Waste Transfer Site; Public Works Director Chuck Beyer said the program was "operating in the red," noted state recycling funds cannot cover solid-waste expenses, and said the last rate increase was roughly 2005–2007.
The Wahkiakum County Board recessed at 10:02 a.m. on Jan. 6 for a public hearing on proposed rate adjustments for the KM Solid Waste Transfer Site. Public Works Director Chuck Beyer told residents the landfill/transfer operation was losing money and required additional revenue sources.
Beyer said the county had been subsidizing the transfer site and that "the program is operating in the red," and he explained that state funding is restricted to recycling programs and cannot be used for general solid-waste expenses. Residents asked whether Peninsula Sanitation price increases were the cause and when rates were last changed; Beyer estimated the last increase occurred "in the timeframe of 2005 to 2007." Commenters raised concerns about illegal dumping and asked whether the site schedule would expand; Beyer said the schedule would remain at two days. Several residents suggested trail cameras to deter dumping.
No formal vote on rate adjustments was recorded at the meeting; the hearing elicited community concern about costs, enforcement and the long interval since the last rate change.
