With the volumes of solid waste generated by several area businesses on the rise, commercial service fees could increase by as much as 432 percent by 2015.

The Koochiching County Board Tuesday agreed that the same billing levels would be continued next year, however, moving forward, future fees would be implemented based on volume data.

County Environmental Services Director Dale Olson said after reviewing the 2013 commercial solid waste service fee billing which is based on 2012 volume data, the fees need to be changed.

“There are a few significant increases,” Olson said of certain businesses. “And there are some that had a reduction in volume.”

Olson explained the 2012 billing charges were based on data that was five years old. The 2013 billing charges based on updated volume data would considerably change the fee to commercial business with several businesses seeing an increase in cost.

He outlined a recommendation for a new billing process in a series of steps:

  • Charge all new businesses for the volume collected in 2012. Olson said there are 53 businesses that were either not reported before or didn't previously have garbage service. Some of these are new businesses and others are existing businesses that moved to a different location.
  • Raise the fee for all businesses that had an increase in garbage volume by no more than 5 yards or 5 percent, whichever is greater. Olson said many businesses had significant increases in volumes while a lot of others increased only slightly. There is also a mixture, he said, of large, medium and small businesses. 
  • All businesses that had a reduction in waste are rewarded in reduced fees, he said.

“Several businesses have gotten by with paying the minimum ($60) fee for several years,” Olson said.

With one business listed as possibly seeing a $2,500 fee increase, Commissioner Wade Pavleck said because of the 265 layoffs at Boise Inc.'s local paper mill by Oct. 1, he couldn't justify placing “such a financial burden” on businesses.

“If we're going to do this it should be implemented over a period of time...to allow (business owners) time to prepare,” he said. “We need to protect these businesses. I can't support this.”

Other commissioners agreed. They said if an increase was necessary, a letter urging businesses to reduce their waste volume was needed.

In other business Tuesday, the board agreed to spend up to $8,000 for the installation of a fiber optic network and re-cabling in the law enforcement center. The cable provides connectivity for the Next Generation 911 equipment. Next Generation 911 is an initiative that has established the foundation for public emergency communications services in a wireless mobile society.

The board also agreed to hold a public meeting and site tour in Birchdale to consider a parking situation during spring walleye fishing on Rainy River.

The board agreed that other concerns and comments by Birchdale-area residents could be addressed during the meeting, for which a date has not yet been set.