By Taylor Boyd
The Patrick County Board of Supervisors approved a 70-cent increase in the Transfer Station tipping fee during its June 8 meeting.
Effective July 1, the disposal rate will increase from $69.25 to $69.95 per ton, an increase of about 1 percent.
Transfer Station Manager Scottie Hylton said the increase is intended to offset anticipated future costs associated with the station’s disposal and transportation contract.
“We recommend increasing the current disposal rate from $69.25 per ton to $69.95 per ton, representing an increase of approximately one percent, or 0.70. This modest adjustment is a proactive measure to maintain the financial stability of the Transfer Station operations while preparing for expected contractual increases in disposal and transportation costs in the future,” he said.
Implementing the increase now, Hylton said, will help minimize the need for larger rate hikes later while ensuring reliable service without significantly affecting customers.
“The recommended rate remains competitive with surrounding facilities and supports the long-term sustainability of the Transfer Station’s operating budget,” Hylton said.
Richard Cox, who represents the Smith River District, asked whether the board had raised the fee earlier this year.
Board Chairman Andrew Overby, who represents the Dan River District, said the board approved an increase last year.
County Administrator Michael McGuinness said the county’s contract allows the disposal contractor to increase its rates by up to 5 percent annually.
“Last year, we matched that five percent, and the year before that we did not increase the rates. We’re just trying to get ahead of it instead of trying to raise it all at one time for the citizens. If we raise it one percent, we can just keep our operating costs where we’re at right now. There’s no need to raise it five percent,” McGuinness said.
Overby asked whether it would be simpler to round the rate up to an even $70 per ton.
Hylton said either rate would be manageable.
“It’s pretty much the same. Either one, that’d be you all’s decision,” Hylton said.
McGuinness agreed, saying the difference would not affect county accounting.
Steve Marshall, who represents the Blue Ridge District, made a motion to increase the rate to $70 per ton. After the motion failed to receive a second, Marshall withdrew it and made a second motion to set the rate at $69.95 per ton.
The board unanimously approved the motion.
Before voting, Jonathan Wood, who represents the Peters Creek District, asked Hylton how many people regularly pay the tipping fee.
“Are we talking hundreds or are we talking thousands,” Wood asked.
“Hundreds. It’s primarily the commercial businesses. We decreased what we require people to pay for it, so on an average day besides the commercial businesses, you might have 20 people that are required to pay the rate increase,” Hylton said.
