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Dahl Disposal seeks smaller-than-requested adjustment; county to review rate increase May 21
Summary
Dahl Disposal reported proposed rate changes driven by operating‑ratio rules, fuel uncertainty and the end of a local Juno project; the company asked the Board to consider a modest adjustment that would raise the most common residential service by $2.30 per month and scheduled a decision for the May 21 meeting.
Dahl Disposal representatives briefed the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on May 7 about a proposed rate adjustment driven by contract‑specified operating ratios and uncertain disposal and fuel markets.
Dave Larmuth, outreach manager for Dahl Disposal, told commissioners that the company’s franchise contract ties allowable expenses to a target operating ratio (85–91 percent) and that typical resets go to a midpoint target of 88 percent. Larmuth said Dahl projected a rate‑of‑return without adjustment of about 5.3 percent but proposed a smaller increase to bring the operation back into the contract range; he said that change translates to a $2.30 per month increase for the county’s most popular service level (35‑gallon garbage cart weekly with every‑other‑week recycling and alternate‑week compostables).
Larmuth also reported operational developments: Dahl delivered about 7,000 tons of material to the local Juno project last year (Juno estimated ~50 percent recovery) but has received notice that Juno will no longer accept their waste on a daily basis; Dahl said waste will be redirected to Coffin Butte and that Coffin Butte delivery will not affect collection expenses or customer rates directly. Larmuth said uncertainty in fuel markets and timing of potential state recycling modernization funds factored into projections.
Commissioners asked about the timing of state outreach tied to the Recycling Modernization Act; Larmuth said statewide outreach begins July 1 and some program rollouts will be regionally phased. County staff confirmed the item will return for a decision on May 21 so the board can consider a formal rate adjustment.
Larmuth said Dahl offers multiple cart sizes (35, 65 and 95 gallons) and collection frequencies (weekly, every other week, once a month, on‑call), and he noted customers may be able to reduce bills by changing cart size or frequency under the recycling/composting program. Andre Formal of GP was present but Dahl did not ask for an immediate vote.
