HomeMy WebLinkAbout081023 Letter - Neil Morgan 09 August 2023
From: Neil T. Morgan RECEIVED
45 West Eugene Street
Port Hadlock,Wa 98339 AUG 11 2023
360-385-3915
IFCOMMIISSIOERSON ONERSY
To: Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners
P.O. Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368
360-385-9100
Subject: Solid Waste Fee Increase, Implementation of 4 Sept 2023
1. I want to express my total disgust for the methods used by this county in dealing with solid waste
disposal and the apparent methods used by county officials in dealing with subject. In particular, the
excessive price hikes scheduled to take effect Sept 4, 2023.
a. Presently the min rate for solid waste is 10.00 for the initial 120 lbs with an additional 162.93 per ton
following the initial 120 lbs..
The scheduled increase to 20.00 for the initial 240 lbs,with an additional 167.°°per ton for weight
exceeding 240 lbs. In reality this fee increases is close to equating to a fee increase of 100%.
I see no justification for this rate of increase and it should not be implemented.
b. Presently the yard waste is at the minimum rate of 5.00 for 200 lbs, additional 48.°°per ton for weight
exceeding initial 200 lbs.
The scheduled increase to 20.00 for the initial 840 lbs with an additional 48.°°per ton for weight exceeding
840 lbs.
I have been informed by county personnel at the land fill pay station and public works office that the
funds collected for Yard Waste is a donation and in fact I recently a close look at one of my receipts
indicated"Donation". However,telephone conservation today with public works manager and city point
of contact(POC), indicates Jefferson County receives a percentage of the present 5.00 while the remainder
is collected by City of Port Townsend.
During this afternoon phoncon with the city POC, the reasoning for the increase was discussed. I was
informed the county wanted the increase as an attempt to get public to deliver larger loads which would
have a outcome of less individual vehicles at the pay station thereby reducing longer lines. This is a
nonsense excuse as the so called longer lines are self imposed! During the past year the landfill site was
closed on Mondays reportedly due to lack of manpower. The result is longer lines, in particular on
Tuesdays and possibly Saturdays. These longer lines were used numerous times during a recent solid
waste faculty review process and used to give justification for a newer facility. This effort is a prime
example on how county officials use such information to justify their agenda.
I believe the majority of those using the yard waste facility are those citizens with pickup sized vehicles. I
find it hard to believe the majority of all individuals deliver more that the 200 lbs.
I am of the opinion that individual citizens are unlikely to have or do not have a vehicle having the ability
of carrying 840 lbs material yet the fee increase may be based on an idea that by charging a 400% fee
increase will reduced the number of vehicles waiting in line. This line of reasoning is a farce to say the
least. The total weight delivered is of little value as it doesn't matter if 196 lbs or 839 lbs are delivered,
the fee will be increased from 5.00 to 20.°°. It must be the county official's belief that individual users will
collect waste, at home,until 839 lbs are collected before delivered for disposal. This is not a believable
approach as the vast numbers of individuals don't even own a vehicle capable of hauling 840 lbs.
Another solution for the individual is dump the yard waste on county, state or privately owned lands.
Now, let's examine a bit of logic. Presently if the majority of users are depositing less than 200 lbs of
material they will be charged 5.00' Once the fee increase takes effect,those users will in theory, deliver
the same amount of material. The amount is primarily based on the size and capacity of their vehicle, yet
charged 20.00 equating in a 400% increase. The yard waste fee increase is in reality larger than the solid
waste fee increase.
2. In Summary
a. It is quite apparent this fee increase is being used as a justification point for a new solid waste facility,
which I recently made comments on 11 July 2023.
b. I wish our elected officials would realize these increase fees will without doubt, promote the
continued dumping of waste on our private and public lands. I wish our elected officials would open their
eyes and see the dumping areas, see what is being left on every back road throughout our county.
c. The entire solid waste issue in Jefferson County is to a point where our state elected officials should be
made aware of the issues and request them to ask the questions, review Jefferson Counties plan of action
and take appropriate action where needed.
I believe a new facility built and includes provisions for programs not associated with solid waste, are not
funded self generated means is not justified. If solid waste generated funds are redirected or used to pay
for a facility with such non-associated programs should be considered a misuse of funds. I think it is time
for the public to contact their Washington State Senator and State Representatives requesting they
evaluate the issue and give their opinion to the public.
/)3711r74;--
Neil T. Morgan
Jefferson County Citizen
Cc: files
Washington State Senator Kevin Van Wege
Washington State Representative Steve Tharinger, 24th Legislative District
Washington State Representative Mike Chapman, 24th Legislative District