User Fee Frequently Asked Questions

Bi-County Solid Waste Management User Fee - Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I pay a user fee?

• To help offset the expense of operating the 17 convenience centers in Montgomery and Stewart counties, the processing of residential waste, and closure costs of the landfill which must be maintained and monitored for 30 years after closure.

Is the landfill user fee a new bill? 

• No, the user fee was established in 1997 and was included on residential electric bills until July 2015. The $5 per month fee is one of the lowest in Tennessee. A landfill fee is a common fee that is paid directly to the landfill or through a utility tax.

Is the landfill user fee the same as paying a trash service?

• No, it is not. The user fee is a government ordinance for solid waste management in Montgomery and Stewart counties. The User Fee funding helps provide solid waste disposal services at the landfill and the operations and management of the convenience centers. The centers and main landfill provide residents with the ability to dispose of household trash and recyclables at no additional cost. Residents pay private trash haulers for the convenience of hauling trash to the landfill. 

How much is the landfill user fee?

• Bi-County bills users quarterly at $15 ($5 per month) by household. Each household, regardless of the number of people, is billed $15 per quarter/$60 per year.

Who will be billed?

• User fees are billed per household (not per person). The user fee billing account is set up in the name of the household member in whose name the electric bill is in.

How often will I be billed?

• Bi-County bills quarterly with the option to pay quarterly, or up to one (1) year of service in advance. 

When is my user fee bill due?

• User Fees are due when issued. Please pay by the due date displayed in the top right section of your bill, in order to keep your account from becoming delinquent.

What are my payment options?

• Online – Pay online at /bi-county/online-bill-pay by debit or credit card from Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. A convenience fee is applied when paying with a card.
• Mail checks or money orders payable to Bi-County SWMS to P.O. Box 31689 Clarksville, TN 37040. Do not send cash by mail. A pre-addressed return envelope is provided with every bill. Please use the provided envelope and include the payment stub with payment.
• Auto Pay – Automatic bank drafts can be drafted from your bank account in the amount of $5 on the last business day of each month.
• In person – Pay at any Legends bank location in Clarksville or Dover with cash, check, or money order. Make checks/money orders payable to Bi-County SWMS. Payment stubs should be with the payment.

Who do I make my check/money order payable to?

• Please make your check/money order payable to Bi-County SWMS.

How do I set up automatic bank draft?

• In person – You may sign up in person at the Bi-County SWMS main office located at 3212 Dover Rd. Woodlawn, TN. Please be sure to bring a voided check to include with your application.
• Mail – If requested Bi-County will either mail or e-mail you an automatic bank draft application. You may also go to /bi-county and print an application. Once you have completed and signed the application please attach a voided check and return to: P.O. Box 192 Woodlawn, TN 37191

Why is there a fee when I pay with my debit/credit card?

• Bi-County accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards but is unable to absorb credit card processing fees in accordance with TCA 9-1-108(c). The convenience fee is charged to cover the credit card processing fees.

I own multiple properties. Will I be charged the user fee on all of them?

• The user fee will be charged on every occupied property. If the unit becomes empty, the user fee will be removed once Bi-County is notified in writing.

What are the penalties for late payments?

• Fines accrue on accounts more than 90 days past due. Once an account is 90 days past due a $10 fine is added to the account. If the account remains in delinquent status, $10 fines accrue on the account each quarter. When $200 in fines has accrued, the account is sent to collections. The maximum total fines are $200..

Why did I receive a letter from Crossland Services?

• Letters from Crossland Services are sent to delinquent accounts and carry a $200 in fine. Delinquent accounts are sent to collections (Crossland Services) after the account has accrued $200 in fines. If the account is taken to court for collections the total owed will include: user fees, fines, court costs, and attorney fees.