Harden Sanitation reports 2024 diversion gains, asks council to work on commercial overage charges

Mark (last name not provided), Harden Sanitation’s representative, gave the council a 2024 year‑end review on Jan. 28, saying the contractor now serves about 12,000 homes and 500 businesses in Eagle and that recycling tonnage rose by roughly 500,000 pounds from 2023.

“We landfilled over 49,000,000 pounds of trash. We diverted 4 and a half million of those pounds to recycling,” he said, and added Harden donated $40,000 of services to city events in 2024.

Mark described operational improvements — a reroute of residential and commercial routes to account for growth, two new trucks assigned to Eagle, a 95% telephone-answer rate after hiring more staff, and rising use of Harden’s customer app. He said changes at regional recycling facilities now accept certain plastic containers (milk jugs, detergent jugs, “squishy” bottles) in commingled recycling and that Harden will publicize those changes with city staff.

A large portion of the presentation and council discussion focused on overloaded commercial containers and illegal haulers. Harden asked the council to direct city staff to work with the company to create a contract pricing line to charge commercial customers for overages when enclosures are overfilled, opening lids or when drivers must spend time clearing obstructions. Mark said the current remedy is a miscellaneous charge of $16.64 for five minutes of staff time — a tool primarily used for roll‑off construction containers — and proposed adding an $8.31 per yard charge for overage disposal tied to landfill costs.

Councilmembers expressed support for pursuing a staff‑level work effort. Council President May said it was “warranted” to have staff design overage charges and asked that staff and Harden return with a public hearing to explain the proposed pricing. Councilmember Goodwin and others emphasized safety concerns for drivers who must exit trucks and lift heavy or hazardous items.

Harden also reported pressure from out‑of‑area illegal haulers undercutting franchise pricing; the company said it has photographic evidence and has notified city staff and the city attorney. Council members discussed code enforcement and the city’s ability to work with Harden and code enforcement to address repeat offenders; legal counsel said codes and building officials can be used if an issue rises to a public‑health or safety threat.

The council did not adopt an ordinance or new fee at the meeting. Mayor Brad Pike said city staff will place Harden’s proposal on a future agenda so the company can present a proposed pricing schedule and supporting data.