New trash fees: How will they affect you?
Some Marion County residents were none too happy last week when their annual tax statement arrived in the mail.
For many, the main issue was the new solid waste assessment needed to fund the county-owned transfer station.
"I've been very busy answering questions," said David Brazil, Marion County's planning and zoning administer, sanitarian, and newly-appointed transfer station manager.
Brazil said the main point he has been trying to clarify is that this system of disposal is a benefit to everyone.
"It's like paying taxes to schools," he said.
Following is an attempt to put the new waste issue in terms everyone can understand.
Why are trash rates changing?
On Nov. 12, county commissioners finalized a deal to buy Marion County's waste transfer station — the place where every city, town and even rural residents — can bring their trash and garbage.
The county bought the station from KC Development for $825,000. Money collected from the solid waste assessment will be used to operate the station now that the county alone is operating it. Instead of being operated as a private business, the transfer station will now be operated by the county government.
So, to pay for the station, the county has established its own rates for disposal, which is the solid waste assessment that appeared on your tax bill.
However, if you have your trash picked up — whether it's by a city or a private carrier — you will still need to pay the bill issued by that government entity or business for coming to your door to pick up your trash. That fee should decrease.
Who set county assessment rates?
"We used appraisers data to determine a definition of one unit of trash," Brazil said.
Basically, that means two cubic yards of trash picked up once a week constitutes one unit.
If you own a house in Marion County you will pay $6.75 per month or $81 per year.
If you are a business owner, you are assessed a minimum of one unit of solid waste annually at the rate of $11 per month or $132 annually.
However, if your business produces a lot of trash, you will pay a higher assessment.
If I own a house in Marion, how will my trash bill change?
If you are a homeowner, your trash charges will be coming from two separate places — the city and the county.
As stated before, the county is charging you $81 per year which averages out to $6.75 per month for disposal.
Currently, the City of Marion charges residential customers a flat rate of $11.85 per month. However, the city is planning on reducing its monthly charge for trash disposal, but at this point, officials are not sure by how much. That, along with some other options, will be discussed by city commissioners in an upcoming meeting.
But the bottom line is — even if the city drops its rate — the basic amount residential customers will pay will be more than before.
"We can't afford to reduce our rates by the same amount the county is increasing," explained David Mayfield, Marion City Administrator.
How will I pay the new trash disposal charge?
The county's assessment arrived last week as part of the yearly tax bill.
City trash collection fees will be paid as usual with your city bill.
Will trash pickup days change?
No. The city will continue to collect your trash on the same days as before — at least as far as is known now.
What if I rent my home or live in an apartment?
To some extent that depends on your landlord and whether or not they decide to pass that $81 disposal fee on to you in some manner. Because, yes, they were assessed that fee on their property tax.
That's also the case if you live in an apartment. The county decided each individual apartment unit in one building will be charged the full $81.
And, of course, if you pay a city bill for trash pickup, you'll have that amount to pay there, too.
If I own a business, will the change affect me?
Yes. You'll still be charged the pickup fee by the city plus the county's assessment which is based on the definition of two cubic yards of trash picked up once a week constitutes one unit.
As for the county assessment, businesses are assessed a minimum of one unit of solid waste annually at the rate of $11 per month or $132 annually.
Businesses that generate more than one unit are classified and billed at a rate of $132 per increment. Thus, a business with two units of solid waste are assessed $264, while a business generating five units would be assessed a yearly total of $660.
High usage customers who generate more than 10 units of trash receive a 25 percent reduction for anything above and beyond those 10 units. That means a charge of $99 per increment charge for those generating 11 units or more.
As for the city of Marion, they will be looking at different options so right now they just don't know.
What businesses will that hurt the most?
The new fee for businesses shouldn't hurt smaller companies, but it could really hurt larger ones.
For example, Tabor College is one of the highest producers of solid waste what with all the dorms, administrative buildings and the like. It could see major increases in garbage disposal fees.
Can I appeal my solid waste assessment?
Yes. You have until Dec. 1 to appeal your tax assessment to the county.
With this new, higher rates, how much money will the county get?
Early estimates indicated with just under 4,00 homes in Marion county, the county will receive $394,000 from trash disposal fees from residences.
With approximately 680 businesses in the county, the county could take in at least $79,332 from commercial businesses. That amount could be much higher depending on the amount of trash each business produces.
