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Assembly raises landfill rates, updates borough fee schedule
Summary
The assembly adopted a fee schedule resolution that includes an increase in landfill tipping fees; borough staff described declining landfill balances, new leachate-treatment costs and increasing operational expenses as drivers of the change.
The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly adopted Resolution FY2026-02 on June 5 to reestablish borough fees for fiscal year 2026, including an increase in landfill tipping fees and associated residential and commercial rates.
Staff told the assembly KAB code requires an annual review of fees and recommended several changes: removal of certain rental options for a community training center, updates to clerk fees, and adjustments to solid-waste collection and disposal rates. Engineering and landfill staff explained the rationale for a proposed landfill rate increase: operating costs have risen, a new leachate treatment plant requires ongoing operating expense, and debt-service obligations total roughly $1 million in addition to operating costs.
Landfill staff explained the proposed per-ton increase would move the borough’s landfill rate from $365 to $400 per ton in the proposed schedule. Staff said that, on the proposed $400 per-ton rate, a typical residential charge would increase to $51.26 (from $47) and a two-yard commercial dumpster charge would move to $353.39 (from $332). The landfill manager noted that the borough had invested in shot-rock development, expanded floor space and that temporary closures and other measures had reduced leachate but the leachate-treatment plant itself incurs ongoing costs.
Assembly members asked for public clarity about what the rates mean for residents and businesses; landfill staff confirmed the increases are intended to cover the true cost of landfill operations, ongoing debt service, and the processing work associated with informal reuse/drop-off locations that increase labor for borough crews. The resolution passed on a 5-0 roll-call vote.
The assembly also adopted multiple other fee updates embedded in the same resolution, including recordkeeping, facilities rental and other service fees; staff said updated fee schedules are included in the meeting packet and that some fee removals reflect media types the clerk no longer offers.
Staff asked the assembly to consider monitoring the impacts of the fee increases and to communicate with service-area boards and customers about the new charges.
