(A) Currently, the county, through the County Assessor’s office, has adopted a set of criteria for one-half rate occupancy of certain residences throughout the county.
(B) All persons owning more than one residence in the county shall pay a full solid waste residential rate for their first residence, and a one-half rate for each additional residence owned by that person or entity unless the additional residence or residences qualify for full rates, pursuant to the terms of division (E) below.
(C) As new properties are added to the tax rolls under the County Assessor’s current policies, which includes division (E) below, the questionnaire portion of division (E) below shall be used by the County Assessor’s office to make an initial determination of whether a half rate applies to the particular property or whether a whole rate applies.
(D) Any person, firm, or entity falsely reporting information pursuant to any exemption, pursuant to this section, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall additionally permanently be disqualified thereafter from qualifying for such exemption on that specific property for as long as that violator owns such property.
(E) Pursuant to current county ordinances, solid waste fees shall apply to all residences and businesses, including agricultural business within the county; and a partial rate shall be applicable to city residents. Current charges per year per residence will appear on the annual tax notice. Individual fees for larger commercial and industrial properties will be determined by the Board of County Commissioners.
(1) Exemptions may be granted for uninhabited residences. To qualify, no one may reside in the residence, even on an occasional basis, from January 1 to December 31. Residences are generally not considered to be vacant unless emptied of personal living effects. Residences where the owner is away because of work, travel, vacation, and the like are generally considered to be occupied. Residences considered to be occupied for purposes of the “home owner exemption” are considered to be fully occupied for solid waste purposes.
(2) Exemptions of one-half rate may be granted for residences that serve as summer cabins or recreational cabins or are used on an occasional basis, from one day to up to six months per year. The minimum charge for such additional residences in this category is one-half the regular rate. However, said part-time residence owners must pay the full rate on their county residence before they can receive the half rate on their second residence.
(3) Exemptions in whole or in part may be granted for financial hardship. No exemption will be granted for any person earning $8,500 or more per year, or owning $50,000 or more in assets. Assets to include, but are not limited to: real property; personal property; financial accounts; or any beneficiary to a trust in excess of $50,000.
(a) No financial hardship will be considered until said person has made a good faith effort to make payments through the County Treasurer’s office.
(b) A financial statement must accompany any request. A statement of pertinent facts concerning ability to pay should also accompany the application. Exemption in whole or in part may be granted to residences the Board of County Commissioners believes to be outside the service area of the county collection system.
(4) Commercial and industrial properties in areas covered by this chapter will be charged yearly solid waste fees by the county. They may independently contract with the garbage hauler for additional service. These additional services will not affect the fees charged by the county. Solid waste fees will appear on the annual tax bill.
(5) Solid waste fees for mobile homes will be billed with the mobile home tax bill. Mobile homes leaving the county after January l will be billed on a prorated basis, provided that taxes are paid and a license is purchased for the mobile home.
(6) It is understood that the per-residence fee covers all residences in the service area unless specifically exempt from solid waste charges. It is further understood that the hauler may ask an additional fee for his or her services above the county fee for house to house service.
(7) Residences constructed or moved into the area covered by this chapter after January l will be billed on a prorated basis.
(9) Applications for exemption or reduction of solid waste fees must be submitted before the fourth Monday of June.
(Ord. 65, passed 9-17-2019)