City of Spokane seeks $1 Million Dollar per year Rate Increase

The City of Spokane seeks an increase in minimum charges for garbage and yard waste; and tipping fee increase for yard waste at Spokane Regional Solid Waste System facilities effective June 1, 2008.

Background

Yard and garden waste represent a large segment of solid waste generated in Spokane County.  Participation in curbside collection of "clean green" has increased throughout the County and is a popular program with ratepayers.  By not adjusting fees to cover the cost of the composting operation, this program has run at a loss of approximately $968,904/year.  The minimum fee to drop off yard waste has not increased since 2002 ($35/ton) but contractual costs to haul yard waste to the composting facility has increased from $36.03/ton (2002) to $41.50/ton (2008).

The minimum refuse disposal fee has not been raised in several years.

Following are recommended fee adjustments to charges assessed at the Waste to Energy Facility and Transfer Stations:

Yard Waste

* Minimum charge of $5 for first 250 lbs. in effect during all hours.
* Remove the 100 lbs. free that is currently in effect during specified hours.
* Raise the yard waste fee from $35/ton to $40/ton.

Refuse

* Raise refuse minimum charge from $7 for the first 140 lbs. to $10 for the first 200 lbs.

Action

Last year's Liaison Board recommended approval of the fee adjustments for implementation on June 1, 2008 (provides for 75-day hauler notice required by WUTC).   Following is the schedule for action by the Spokane City Council and Spokane County Commissioners:

CITY COUNCIL - Rate Ordinance

* March 3 - First Appearance on Agenda
* March 10 - First Reading Ordinance
* March 17 - Second Reading Ordinance
* Then Mayor has 30 days to sign

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Resolution

* March 4 - CEO Briefing at 9:30 a.m.
* March 4 - Consent Agenda at 2:00 p.m.

Suzanne Tresko
Recycling Coordinator
Spokane Regional Solid Waste System
808 Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201-3333
w 509-625-6529
f  509-625-6537
stresko@spokanecity.org <mailto:stresko@spokanecity.org>