Beatrice council adopts fee changes including water-park pass and garbage rate increases

The Beatrice City Council adopted a fee resolution that raises seasonal water-park passes and adjusts municipal solid-waste collection charges, among other fee changes.

Nut graf: Council approved the fee resolution (Resolution No. 7523) after staff explained increases driven largely by rising labor costs and the city’s recent waste-fee changes related to Boswell landfill financing. The vote passed 6–2 after members said the public needed more notice for some fee items.

Details: The resolution raises seasonal water-park passes by $7 (daily rates remain unchanged). City staff said lifeguard recruitment and higher minimum wages were the main cost pressures on seasonal-pass pricing. The resolution also implements a $1 monthly increase for residential garbage service tied to earlier Boswell rate adjustments; commercial increases vary by container size. Staff said some contracted village accounts are covered by existing contracts and therefore will not increase until contract terms allow.

Council and public reaction: Council members asked staff for revenue estimates tied to the water-park pass change; staff did not have an immediate per-line-item revenue projection. One council member said they would vote against the fee resolution because the public had less time than usual to review the packet; staff confirmed the proposed new fee schedule was available with council materials and that some redline versions were in the packet. A member of the public asked why a second weekly pickup for some downtown commercial dumpsters remains relatively expensive; council asked staff to examine the rate structure.

Vote: Resolution No. 7523 passed 6–2. Staff will notify contracted communities and update billing processes where contracts permit.

Why it matters: The changes affect household recreation costs and monthly utility-equivalent garbage fees for residents and businesses and tie into broader Boswell landfill financing and operating costs.

What’s next: Staff will follow up with a detailed revenue estimate for water-park pass changes, notify customers covered by contracts of timing, and review downtown commercial pickup charges per council direction.