Letter to the Editor: Waste Fees Are Too Confusing
Author: Dawn Reynolds
Waste Fees Are Too Confusing
Early this summer, I discovered, like many did, that there were charges at the Canister Sites for Construction and Demolition Waste. Resolutions are the usual way to implement fees; after inquiring and not finding any fee items, I emailed the Commissioners to get my two cents in.
4 months later, trash fees are more confusing. Non-household trash is the term now used for chargeable rubbish. Attendants at the canister sites have the authority to decide charges based on their interpretation of non-household trash. That can change daily depending on the attendant and other circumstances. This situation is what Montana Codes were designed to prevent. Code 7-13-4108 guarantees that Solid Waste Districts do not have the ability, as a private business would, to charge fees without a resolution or ordinance. The codes guarantee that the fees are equitable across the board, not decided subjectively by an attendant.
County Boards are useful for communication during changing times and yet, every announcement for open positions on boards have not included the Solid Waste Board. With only one currently active board member, the commissioners are the SW board until replacements are found.
I am hoping the Commissioners will review the definition of Household Waste from Montana Code (75-10-203) which states: “Household waste" means any solid waste derived from households, including single and multiple residences, hotels, and motels, crew quarters, and campgrounds and other public recreation and public land management facilities” and provide the public a precise fee schedule by creating an ordinance or a rate resolution. If the goal is bagged trash, create an ordinance that says that. Finally, I am hoping the Commissioners can revive the Solid Waste Board as a liaison between the citizens and leaders.
Change can be challenging; clear guidelines can help everyone.
Dawn Reynolds, Winston
