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Solid Waste Fees Explained

By David Meyer

11/16/2012

(KAIR) -- On November 9th, Atchison County mailed 2012 property tax statements to property owners throughout the county.

New to this year’s tax statements is a solid waste fee, which was approved by the Atchison County Commissioners on 3-0 vote in June of this year.

The fee is $61 per 26 cubic yards of trash generated per year for non-residences, or $5.08 per month, and is designed to reflect Atchison County’s actual costs to operate and maintain the Atchison County Transfer Station.

All residential customers are charged the same $61 fee per property. Multiple family units are charged $61 for each unit, and businesses are charged $61 per 26 cubic yards of trash generated.

Data on the number of cubic yards generated per business was provided by the businesses’ trash haulers and is based on actual disposals this year.

Since 1993, the Atchison County Transfer Station has been funded by portions of a one cent sales tax.

Atchison County received a consultant’s report this spring that recommended funding for the Transfer Station be shifted from sales tax dollars to a user fee that more accurately reflects the cost associated with the trash generated by an entity.

All property owners in the county are assessed the fee, including exempt properties, such as not-for-profit, educational, and religious organizations.

The fee is designed to encourage users to reduce trash consumption and increase recycling efforts, leading to a reduction in overall costs.

Solid Waste Project Manager Chase Brunick says the fees are the early steps in assessing the one cent sales tax issue.

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Business owners that have reviewed their fees and believe they have been calculated improperly should call Brunick at (913)367-4400 ext. 133 to set up an informal hearing.

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