Solid waste disposal fees to appear on upcoming tax notice
Organizations that don't pay property taxes still will have an assessment for solid waste disposal, Marion County commissioners were reminded Monday at their regular monthly meeting.
The county will take over disposal next year when it takes ownership of the transfer station. The fee pays disposal costs of the trash, not collection costs, which will be charged by cities or trash truck operators.
All properties that generate trash will be assessed $81, which will be a separate item on tax notices mailed in November. This fee will be higher for properties that generate more trash.
Churches, municipal buildings, and the county itself do not pay property taxes. However, since they generate trash, they must pay the fee, commissioners said.
The only exception will be for property that has no residential or business improvements.
"If it generates trash, it pays the fee, no exceptions," said Leroy Wetta, commissioner.
Property owners can file an appeal with the county clerk's office if they believe the assessment is in error. This appeal will be due by Dec. 1.
In other reports:
Commissioners asked that Susan Robson, county attorney, contact Kansas Department of Transportation and the contractor working on K-150, regarding a county road used as a detour. County officials say the contractor failed to restore the road properly. It no longer drains but turns into miles of mud.
Linden trees in front of the courthouse have been trimmed, revealing extensive hollow areas. The trees have enough healthy wood to continue growing but experts suggested that the hollow areas be filled with foam to reduce further rot and insect damage.
Commissioners heard a proposal from James Hedstrom, Cellular One representatives, to shift all county cell phones to his company, which he said would result in the county saving more than $2,000 annually over its current mix of plans. Commissioners asked him to present his proposal to department heads who will give a recommendation to the commission.
An engineer will meet with commissioners at an upcoming meeting to explain recommendations for the county lake dam. An analysis led to a state recommendation that portions of the dam be increased to provide more protection if there is high water. Dale Snelling, park and lake superintendent, said it could mean up to nine inches of asphalt along part of the dam road, and clearing dirt and gravel from a portion of the spillway.
Household hazardous waste collections in Peabody and Florence this past week gathered 1,041.5 pounds of material, reported Bill Smithhart, director.
