Official responds to concern regarding transfer station

Dear editor,

With regards to letter to the editor "Landfill Policy Needs Work" (Mountain Home News, April 1), I would like to clarify a few issues. The transfer station is owned by Elmore County and operated under contract by Idaho Waste Systems, Inc. Elmore County allows residents of the county one (1) ton per year of municipal solid waste to be disposed of at no charge.

Municipal solid waste is defined as typical household waste that would be placed in the trash can under the kitchen sink. This does not include items such as furniture, mattresses, electronics, carpeting and construction debris and these items are charged for.

Although this has always been the policy, in the past it was not followed consistently.

In July of 2014, we started informing residents coming into the transfer station of the policy. There was some backlash but all in all residents understood. We realized that we could have and should have advertised this better and in September of 2014 advertised the rate schedule in this paper.

We also started handing out flyers to all customers explaining the rate change. One ton of household waste per year is free. All other waste including construction debris is $25.00 per ton with a $10.00 minimum charge.

Yard waste, horticulture and brush is at no charge if there is no manufactured items such as plastic or lumber mixed in.

On non-municipal solid waste 800 pounds equals the minimum charge. If it appears that a customer has 800 pounds or less, we charge the $10.00 minimum fee.

If it appears to be more than 800 pounds, we have them weigh in and out and charge accordingly.

Our policy is that all chargeable items are written on a pre numbered triplicate receipt. The customer is given one copy, one copy remains at the transfer station and one copy goes to the Company office where checks and cash are reconciled and deposited.

These funds are used to help offset the cost of maintaining and operating the transfer station.

Starting January 1st of this year, the transfer station changed days of operation from six days a week to five. The volume of product that comes in does not warrant being open six days a week. Residents were notified of this change for two months. It was advertised in this paper, we handed out fliers at the transfer station, and Elmore County placed it on their website. The City of Mountain Home placed it on their website as well as sent the information out with their utility bills.

For further information or questions, please visit elmorecounty.org or call the Bennett Road Transfer Station at 724-0197.

-- Randy Avery,

general manager

Idaho Waste Systems, Inc.