Two Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly members are proposing a reduction in fees at outlying garbage transfer sites after a recent increase sparked public outrage.
Dan Mayfield, who represents Big Lake, and Vern Halter, who represents Willow and is running for borough mayor, are proposing a resolution to roll back transfer site increases and some at the Palmer landfill that went into effect July 1.
The increase nearly tripled some rates for trash disposal compared to last year, according to the resolution, which uses the example of a $45 charge for a 3-cubic-yard pickup load compared to $16 last July. Last year's rates were the same for loads from 1 to 3 cubic yards. The proposal would create a $22 charge for 3 cubic yards.
The Assembly approved the rate increases during the spring budget process to bring solid waste costs into the black. The central landfill near Palmer makes enough money to support itself, but costs at outlying transfer sites in places like Big Lake, Willow or Talkeetna account for a deficit of more than $1.1 million, according to Mat-Su public works director Terry Dolan.
The Assembly also approved making recycling free at the central landfill. It's free in Big Lake, and sites at Willow and Talkeetna are about to offer free recycling, Dolan said.
The fee increase was also supposed to increase recycling, the resolution states, but is actually punishing users for not recycling, especially people trying to clean up their properties.
The resolution says the steep fee hike is also leading to illegal trash dumping. Dolan said there's no evidence of that: the borough gets about one call a week from people reporting dumping, the same as before the rate hike went into effect.
The public can provide testimony about the proposal at the Assembly's Aug. 4 meeting in Palmer. The resolution is currently on the consent agenda.