Increased costs hike Solid Waste Program rates
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Solid Waste trucks.
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Solid Waste program implemented new rates effective December 1 because of the increased cost of fuel and county landfill cost.
“The cost to get rid of our trash has gone up about 30 percent in both Bingham and Bannock County landfills,” Solid Waste Manager Jim Cutler said. In addition, fuel has “gone through the roof,” he continued. The cost to fill a truck to transport trash is around $300 per truck. The program has three trucks and a backhoe they utilize. Fuel costs are upwards of $1,500 per week because the trucks have a big motor, similar to a semi. It’s stop and go along the trash pickup route so each truck gets about four miles to the gallon.
Cutler said to purchase one of the trucks it’s about $300,000 and the life cycle for them is about five years on paved roads. But the Rez roads aren’t all paved and some could be rough.
The Fort Hall Business Council approved the rate increase in September for the transfer stations and waste fee collection. The bulk of the funds for the program come from the Tribes general fund according to the resolution. The use of Shoshone-Bannock Tribal transfer stations are afforded to Fort Hall Indian Reservation residents only.
Those who use the transfer stations must have a current year window sticker affixed to the lower front corner of the driver’s side window. When purchasing or getting a sticker issued, it will required proof of Fort Hall Indian Reservation residency and vehicle ownership.
Proof of residency can be a blue Shoshone-Bannock Tribal ID or a state issued identification card that must list physical address and PO boxes will not be accepted. Tribes utility billing statement with corresponding ID is also accepted for new established residents.
Vehicle ownership — a current year vehicle registration, title of ownership or automotive insurance card is accepted. Stickers won’t be issued to vehicles that reflect a business name.
Window sticker prices: Shoshone-Bannock tribal resident elders (55+ with blue Tribal ID) get one free sticker per year, however purchase of a second sticker is $30. Shoshone-Bannock Tribal residents (54 and under) cost is $60 per vehicle. Resident members of other federal recognized tribes (54 and under), the cost is $120 per vehicle. Non-Indian residents are $180 per vehicle. Replacement of a sticker or switch to an alternate vehicle cost (must return original sticker) is $5.
Shoshone-Bannock entities including the Tribal Enterprises, Agribusiness Corporation, Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel and Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High School are required to continue to rent waste containers, manage their own recycling diversion and contract removal of hazardous waste. Same goes for Chief Tahgee Elementary, Fort Hall Housing Authority, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service, private business and special event organizers.
They are also required to utilize the Tribes Solid Waste Program for standard waste collection.
Solid Waste fee collection rate increase is:
Residential/Micro Business
• Shoshone-Bannock Elder 95-Gal Curbside Container (55+ with blue Tribal JD) — one free container per household, emptied on a weekly basis.
• 95-Gal Curbside Container - $20 per month, emptied on a weekly basis.
• Initial/Resumed Service Container Delivery - $20.
• Reclaim/Cease Service Container Removal - $20.
• Missing/Destroyed Container Replacement (hot material melt, vehicle damage, etc) - $90.
Business Collection
• Natural Debris Bin - $175 per delivery (flat rate).
• 20-yd. Roll-off Bin - $355 per delivery (flat rate).
• 30-yd. Roll-off Bin - $400 per delivery (flat rate).
• 40-yd. Roll-off Bin - $445.00 per delivery (flat rate).
• Dry Run Fee - $40.
Cutler said they’re in their third years of charging for trash removal. They tried to do the rate increase around the time of per capita so tribal members may have extra cash to pay the fee. He noted they sold four stickers on Tuesday both tribal and non-tribal.
