Council hears landfill-closure uncertainty, approves $60,000 library budget fix

The Superior Common Council on April 8 was told the city faces significant uncertainty over the timing and costs of an upcoming landfill closure, and approved a finance committee recommendation to amend the 2025 general fund to reflect an unbudgeted library wage increase of about $60,000.

A finance committee member reported that city staff are finalizing remaining enterprise budgets for 2025 and that the landfill budget is “very involved” because closure timing and liabilities are unclear. The member said the council should expect more concrete information about closure timing, costs and possible fee increases “throughout the summer.”

The council voted to accept both items the finance committee advanced, including the general fund amendment to prevent a deficit in the library budget after the library adopted a pay increase for its staff. Motion to approve the finance committee recommendations was made by Councilor Holmes and seconded by Councilor Herrick; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The finance committee member said the enterprise budgets overall are in a healthy position but cautioned that the landfill closure could change operating projections and likely prompt further discussion in coming months. Council members were invited to attend committee meetings or request briefings for more detail.

The council’s approval of the library amendment funds the board-adopted pay increase and is intended to prevent a shortfall; council discussion did not change the library’s authority to set its own wages. Staff indicated the city will provide further budget updates as landfill closure details become available.

Looking ahead, the finance committee plans to continue monitoring landfill closure costs and related enterprise-fund impacts and expects to return with additional information this summer.