Brown County approves temporary $3/ton fuel surcharge at transfer station

Brown County commissioners voted on June 8 to institute a temporary $3-per-ton fuel surcharge on solid waste brought to the county transfer station, citing increased fuel costs charged by the county’s contracted haulers.

The commission discussed recent tonnage reports and average loads from haulers before debating timing and notice for a surcharge. Commissioners settled on a July 8 start date to give haulers and the public approximately 30 days’ notice and specified a 90-day review period after implementation, at which point the commission will reevaluate the charge.

The motion to institute the surcharge was moved and seconded during the meeting and passed with three affirmative voices. Staff indicated the surcharge is intended to recoup higher hauling costs the county is currently paying to its contractor and that notification to haulers and the public would follow standard practice used for prior rate adjustments.

Why it matters: The surcharge directly affects haulers and residential/business customers who use the transfer station; commissioners said they aim to balance cost recovery with notice and a short reevaluation window.