Dump rates discussion spans months

In a convoluted process, a raise in dumping rates at the Delano Transfer Station, approved in October by the Regional Board of Mayors, was approved again in March, but still must be approved by the four area towns before it might be implemented, with Grand Coulee so far not wanting to raise the rates.

The Star reported in October 2019 that the RBOM had approved a half-cent-per-pound raise in dumping fees at the transfer station, which was said by then-city administrator of Electric City Russ Powers to be on track to lose approximately $29,000 in 2020.

“It’s just the cost of things,” Powers said last October. “Insurance, fuel, goods.”

Powers suggested then that the fees be raised a full cent, which would bring in approximately $60,000 a year. But Coulee Dam Mayor Bob Poch proposed half a cent first, then another half cent later to soften the blow to patrons of the transfer station.

Currently, individuals taking a load to the transfer station pay a minimum of $12.40 for up to 200 pounds, and 6.2 cents per additional pound, plus tax.

The increase would bring that price up to $13.40 for the first 200 pounds, and 6.7 cents per additional pound, plus tax.

In March, the RBOM once again approved the half-cent raise.

Then, at Grand Coulee’s city council meeting March 17, the council discussed the raise, telling Mayor Paul Townsend that their stance is against it, and that he should take that back to the next meeting of the mayors.

Townsend said the issue with the raise is that he anticipates Sunrise Disposal, which provides garbage service to the area, will then raise their rates, a cost that would then be passed down from the four individual towns or cities to their citizens.

“We all know the consumer ends up paying the final bill,” Townsend said. Councilmember Gary Carrierre said he was against the raise unless the dump was failing to support itself or would no longer be able to function.

Councilmember Alan Cain said that organizations need reserves, but that citizens are not the bank.

That $29,000 shortfall discussed in October was not mentioned in March at either the RBOM meeting or the Grand Coulee council meeting.