Commission OKs new uncovered load trash fee

Douglas Disposal hopes charging a $25 for uncovered loads will help reduce the amount of trash along Dump Road and beyond.

County commissioners approved a resolution that included a 3.29-percent increase in rates for trash pickup increasing transfer station rates effective Aug. 1.

Public Works Director Phil Ritger told county commissioners there currently isn’t any tarping requirements for loads brought to the transfer station by truck or trailer.

He said Douglas Disposal does a quarterly clean-up along Dump Road where 500-700 pounds of trash are picked up.

“That represents a very small portion of the county when you consider that these loads are coming from as far as TRE and up to the north side of the county,” Ritger said. “This fee is a method to create enforcement for loads that are unintentionally dumped on the sides of our roads.”

The change in the resolution also adds a bear-resistant 35-gallon tote, in addition to the current 90-gallon tote.

Increases in fees at the Lockwood Landfill is driving the rate increase.

According to the table, quarterly pickup for a 32-gallon tote will be $57.66. The new animal resistant tote will cost $68.22 a quarter.

Rates for solid waste will increase to $124.50 per ton or $13.35 per cubic yard. Green waste will be $54.85 per ton.

Having trash collected by Douglas Disposal is voluntary.

The towns of Minden and Gardnerville both operate their own trash collection and have had to raise rates due in part to the increase in tipping fees at the Carson City Landfill.