Kitsap County announced Wednesday that the Olympic View Transfer Station, the main collection point for the county’s garbage, will increase its fees starting July 1.
The increase is part of a four-year plan approved by the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners in 2018. At Olympic View, fees will increase by small amounts over four consecutive years. This year’s increase is the second year of changes. Fees at the Recycling and Garbage Facilities in Hansville, Silverdale, and Olalla will not change in 2019, but they will increase in 2020.
Fees are increasing following a 2017 cost study done by the Solid Waste Division which found that disposal fees no longer covered current and projected costs. Disposal fees fund local solid and hazardous waste programs, facilities and services. Fees are not used for general county government.
Kitsap County pointed out some key funding needs including:
- Improving aging waste facilities to meet the needs of our growing community. The Division is planning improvements to the Central Kitsap Recycling and Garbage Facility and Olympic View Transfer Station.
- Rebuilding an emergency reserve fund. During the Great Recession that began in late 2007, the Division avoided raising disposal fees by spending from a reserve fund. This fund protects against fee increases during future economic downturns.
