Commission Briefs

Solid waste utility fee rates will rise

Mason County commissioners approved a change in the solid waste utility fee rates at the April 12 meeting.

According to the information packet, the fee rates increase each year by the amount of the October-to-October Consumer Price Index for the Olympia area. This change would update the fee rates for the county to increase each year based on the amount of August-to-August CPI for the Seattle, Tacoma and Bellevue areas. The county is required to provide 75 days notice to collection companies and 45 days notice to public ratepayers of an effective rate increase date.

Some of the rates for the Mason County Solid Waste Transfer Station are $110.27 per ton of solid waste, $5.97 for a tire with a rim and $4.44 for a tire without a rim and $79.94 per ton of separated clean yard trimmings.

The solid waste facility rates for Belfair, Hoodsport and Union are $22.61 per cubic yard of solid waste, $29.83 for an appliance with refrigerant and $2.31 for an auto battery.

To view the full rates list, check pages 105 and 106 of the commissioner’s information packet at tinyurl.com/yyhsj85j.

Hearing set on roads

A public hearing has been set with the hearings examiner for 1 p.m. May 25 for a road vacation.

According to the information packet, Public Works received a request from Daniel Hite, owner of property at 4030 E. Mason Lake Drive West in Grapeview, to vacate an original platted right of way about 5,160 square feet just north of Hite’s property.

Chip-seal projects approved

County commissioners approved four county road projects to be converted from gravel road to chip seal.

According to the information packet, Public Works will be converting Sunnyside Road, California Road, Kelly Hall Road and Sunnyslope Road from gravel to chip seal to reduce maintenance and dust control costs and bring roads up to standards for safety.

Sunnyside Road will cost an estimated $145,000, California Road will cost $65,000, Kelly Hall Road will cost $97,500 and Sunnyslope Road will cost $30,000.

All of the cost will be taken from the county road fund and all four projects are identified on the county annual construction program.

Rescue money allocated

Mason County commissioners approved the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act money.

According to the information packet, the approval includes signing bonuses for corrections deputies up to $30,000, prosecutors’ office second-floor expansion for $75,000 and Public Works 70 grinder pumps for $151,273. The commissioners also approved up to $100,000 for the Housing Authority of Mason County and up to $35,000 for The Arc of the Peninsulas.