Garbage Disposal Likely To Cost More Increased Tipping Fees Considered For Waste Plant, Transfer Stations

Disposing of garbage would get more expensive next year under a plan being considered by the Spokane city-county solid waste system.

Under the proposal, tipping fees for household and other garbage would increase from $97 per ton to $100 per ton at the waste-to-energy plant and regional transfer stations.

The cost to dump compost will rise from $20 to $30 per ton, said Roger Flint, operations manager for the city of Spokane and supervisor of the solid waste system.

The proposed increases won’t mean much to the average consumer, Flint said.

“A ton is 2,000 pounds,” he said. “Most citizens who bring in a load of trash are only bringing in a few hundred pounds. We’re talking about cents here.”

People who pay local companies to haul their garbage away also may see a slight increase in their rates, as haulers pass along their increased costs.

“Two-can pickup customers may pay 20 cents more per month,” Flint said.

The hike in garbage rates is necessary to keep up with the escalating costs of running the transfer stations and incinerator, Flint said.

The compost increase will go to cover the costs of a new contract with a California company to run the controversial Colbert compost facility, which was the source of numerous odor complaints in recent years, he added.

The last rate increase occurred in 1996.

“We’re actually behind the original rate schedule,” Flint said.

Both the Spokane City Council and Spokane County Commission must approve the new fees before they go into affect.

The City Council will take up the proposal Monday, with commissioners discussing it Tuesday.

If either body holds up the fee hikes, Flint said the solid waste system will be forced to drain its $3 million rate-stabilization account to make up the difference.

That means rates will have to go up in 2002, or some services may be altered.