Flathead County landfill rates could be increasing by 15% beginning this fall.

Fees at the landfill have not been raised since 2007. In a proposal set to go before county commissioners the fees would be increased by the initial percentage starting Nov. 1, and then would increase by 3% each year through 2028.  

County commissioners on Aug. 20 will hold a public hearing at 9:15 a.m. on the fee increase. Commissioners meet at the Historic Courthouse, 800 S. Main St. in Kalispell. 

The fee increase is needed to cover increased operational expenses, such as rising costs of labor, container site improvements and capital expenditures for landfill expansion, according to the county. 

The landfill tip fee would increase from $31.05 per ton to dump at the landfill to $35.71. The annual assessment fee would increase from $80.73 per residential unit to $92.84.  

The county’s solid waste district generates revenue through a combination of landfill tipping fees, assessment fees and special service area fees. Commercial waste haulers, commercial businesses and residents with large loads pay the tipping fee at the landfill. Residential properties pay a per unit assessment fee per year.  

The rate increase was recommended by MSW Consultants in a disposal fee study created for the county in June. The consultants’ review found that the county’s Solid Waste District will soon be required to incur significant capital expenditures.  

And based on its analysis found that “if its current fees are not adjusted, the district’s actual cash reserves are projected to fall significantly below the amount it will need to sufficiently fund its ongoing operations and pay for its projected capital expenditures.”  

The district projects expenditures to increase about 10% in fiscal year 2025, followed by more modest increases in subsequent years.  

However, the district expects to incur about $28.7 million in capital expenditures from fiscal year 2025 through fiscal year 2029. The most significant expenditure is expected to be the $17 million liner expansion project in fiscal years 2028 and 2029. 

The landfill tip fee during the final year of the proposed increase would be $40.19 or roughly a $10 increase from the current fee. The residential assessment fee would be $104.49 in the final year of the plan, which works out to an increase of almost $24.  

Deputy Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or [email protected].