Council approves phased landfill rate increases starting Jan. 1, 2026
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Summary
The council approved a multi-year schedule to raise landfill disposal rates to cover capital and operating needs shared with Yankton partners; the minimum fee will increase to $14 on Jan. 1, 2026.
Vermillion City Council on Oct. 20 approved a resolution to revise landfill disposal rates following a joint-powers review of operational and capital needs.
The changes implement a phased, multiyear increase beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Staff presented a schedule of per-ton increases intended to address capital items and operating costs: an increase of $7 per ton effective Jan. 1, 2026, followed by additional planned increases in 2027 and 2028 (staff described increments of $5 and $3 per ton for subsequent years). The landfill and transfer-station partners include Yankton and Yankton County; staff noted a longstanding $10-per-ton rate differential to account for transfer-handling costs.
The minimum disposal fee will rise from $12.50 to $14, effective Jan. 1, 2026; council clarified the minimum fee for later years will remain as stated in the resolution.
Councilor Genoa moved to approve the resolution with the minimum-fee clarification; Councilor Holland seconded. The council approved the motion by voice vote.
Staff said the increases reflect recent capital needs such as dozer purchases (roughly $700,000) and will help subsidize the recycling center, which operates at a deficit and is supported by landfill/transfer-station revenue.