Dumping trash will cost more Sept. 1

WORLAND - The Worland Solid Waste District is looking to raise additional revenue to stay solvent, and will begin charging fees to use the Worland dump.

During the Aug. 18 meeting of the Washakie County Commission, it was announced that the waste district is considering charging tipping fees.

Commission Chairperson Aaron Anderson told the Northern Wyoming Daily News that the fee schedule is the result of not having enough money to keep the landfill operational.

County Clerk Mary Grace Strauch said the district levies three mills, which generates $374,695. The district also receives about $100,000 in recycling revenue.

"We have to look at a fee schedule to keep the landfill running," Anderson said.

Effective Sept. 1, residents will be assessed $15 per cubic yard for general waste and non-residents will be assessed $36.50 per cubic yard.

Worland City Council members reacted during their regularly scheduled meeting later that night.

"We are going to have to adjust the ways we do business - it's happening all over," Worland Mayor Dave Duffy told the council.

"It's not a matter of growth. It's a matter of the cost of running things, the cost of complying with government regulations," Duffy said. They're unable to pay for new equipment and other upgrades, and need to find a way to raise more revenue, Duffy said.

Councilmember Marcus Sanchez disagreed with the potential new fees.

"How is this going to benefit us? What are they doing to help us save money? What are they offering," Sanchez asked during the council meeting.

Worland Solid Waste Board Chairman Travis Filler told the Daily News that most landfills in the state already assess tipping fees.

"We're the last landfill in the basin to go to tipping fees," Filler said.

The landfill is also struggling to maintain its equipment, including a loader that is used to cover waste at the landfill. Repairing the loader costs the district $90,000 annually. A new track loader costs about $330,000, Filler said.

Most landfills use a scale for trash and charge by the pound.

Under the new proposal, residents will be required to show proof of residency at the attendant's station by showing documentation such as a utility bill or driver's license.

Worland Solid Waste District Board Chairman Travis Filler said higher out-of-district fee is to offset the cost of running the landfill. The lower in-district fee is to offset mill levies.

For a complete copy of the fee schedule, please see page 3.