Riley County commissioners approve transfer-station rate increase to $72 per ton

Riley County commissioners voted July 6 to raise the fee charged at the county transfer station to $72 per ton, a roughly 12.5% increase intended to help pay off a recently completed tipping-floor project and cover rising operational costs.

"The solid waste advisory board has recommended $72 per ton. That'll help pay off the tipping floor project that we just completed, but that is also a 12 and a half% increase," said Evan McMillan, public works, who presented the recommendation and the board's rationale. McMillan told commissioners the rate change is expected to take effect in October and that the county may consider annual, smaller increases in future years to avoid large one-time adjustments.

McMillan compared neighboring jurisdictions, noting some counties charge more and others similar amounts, and said the advisory board recommended the increase after reviewing costs and the need to retire project debt. Commissioners discussed whether to phase increases annually or adopt a single adjustment; McMillan said most contracts include an annual CPI-based adjustment and staff can explore options for smoother, predictable changes.

A motion to approve the increase was moved and seconded and carried during the meeting. The commission directed staff to implement the October effective date and to provide notice to customers in advance.

The change is intended to stabilize solid-waste finances and ensure continued operation of county disposal services as costs rise. Details on how the increased revenue will be applied to the tipping-floor project and ongoing operations were part of McMillan's presentation and are available in the public works packet.