Local

Residents in Boundary County can expect a 63 percent increase in fees to support landfill operations.

For those in the city of Bonners Ferry, the increase will appear on their upcoming property tax bills. Residents who paid $86 for the current fiscal year would pay $140. Residents throughout the county can expect to see their bill increase from $102 to $167.

A public hearing on the proposed increase will be held 10 a.m. Monday, July 28, in the commissioners' office at Boundary County Courthouse.

It's the second rate increase in two years. Fees were increased by 12 percent for the fiscal year that ends in October.

The money is needed for operations including repairs and fuel, additional recycling and upgrading equipment, said Claine Skeen, superintendent of the county solid waste department. Last year's budget was $665,000. Next year's is expected to be a little over $1 million.

“With this increase, I can get the proper equipment (to do things for less money),” Skeen said.

For example, setting up recycling of No. 1 and No. 2 plastic containers will require equipment. By recycling, the landfill's life can be extended.

Opened in 1971, the 18-acre landfill is running out of space. Once the landfill is at capacity, it will be closed, and garbage will be shipped out of county because the cost of opening another landfill would be astronomical. Sending garbage elsewhere also is costly.

The landfill and dumpsites in Naples and Paradise Valley currently accept newspapers, magazines, office paper, flattened cardboard, glass, aluminum and tin cans, vehicle batteries, antifreeze and oil for recycling.

Fuel is another rising expense. For the current fiscal year, $40,000 was budgeted; $45,000 is budgeted for the next fiscal year.