Park county increases solid waste assessment by 2.9%

Park County Commissioners voted unanimously this week to increase solid waste assessments on property owners by 2.9%.

The former rate was $278 per solid waste unit assessment, and the new rate for this budget year approved Tuesday is $286. The new rate includes $225 for collection, $36 for disposal, and $25 for recycling. The recycling portion decreased from $32 last budget year.

“That 2.9% is less than the rate of inflation, so I’m pretty happy about that,” Public Works Director Matt Whitman told commissioners on Tuesday just before their vote.

The change was recommended by the county’s solid waste board.

“This is a very dedicated board of volunteers, and they would not raise the rate a dime unless they really needed to,” said District 2 Commissioner Bryan Wells. “Everything costs more. So they have recommended the 2.9% increase, and I respect their decision.”

District 3 Commissioner Jennifer Vermillion expressed agreement with Wells.

Each single dwelling unit is charged one assessment, and each business is charged a minimum of three assessments. Hotels are charged one assessment for every five rooms. Schools are charged one assessment for every 35 students. Each building serving as both a residence and a business is charged a minimum of four assessments. Buildings with other types and combinations of uses are charged other assessments; these can be found at https://tinyurl.com/5chv3ky6.

The number of assessments per building type did not change.

“There’s no large changes to the overall policy this year; that has remained the same,” Whitman said.