News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Fentress County Commissioners voted to raise the rental and tip fees for yard dumpster rentals for the first time since the 1990s.
Fentress County Finance Director Tyler Arms said Solid Waste Director Michael Rick is struggling to create a manageable budget with rising expenses. He said the department pays some $250,000 more in landfill fees than it did five years ago.
“He’s having increase in fuel costs, increase in insurance cost the same amount,” Arms said. “He’s got increase in personnel cost that’s went up in the past couple of years. He’s not really brought any, there’s no new revenue offsetting that.”
Arms said renting a dumpster will now cost $60, a $10 increase. He said the cost is still less than most surrounding counties and private renters. He said the change will go into effect starting July 1.
Commissioner Kim Davidson said it costs the department $47 per ton. She said she does not consider the increase too dramatic.
“That’s our cost to pay and we’re just charging $50 right now,” Davidson said. “That doesn’t even cover the fuel, the manpower, or anything involved with it.”
Commissioner Leon Stepp said this is a unique situation.
“This is one of the few things that we would want to be higher than other counties to deter them from coming,” Stepp said.
