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Solid-waste fund running deficits; council debates disposal fees at Merck Miles transfer station
Summary
City staff told the council Merck Miles operated at a loss in 2024 and the sanitation enterprise fund is projecting shortfalls in 2025. Staff recommended maintaining current resident sanitation fees but warned the fund is subsidized by the general fund; council members urged changes to disposal fee tiers and asked for disaggregated customer data.
City staff on Feb. 11 told council the city’s sanitation program — including the Merck Miles transfer station — ran at a deficit in 2024 and will likely run short again in 2025 unless adjustments are made.
Solid-waste coordinator Gordon Burkett briefed council on revenues and expenses. He said the solid-waste program had actual revenues of about $9,374,000 in 2024 but net expenses exceeded revenues after a $1,800,000 one‑time purchase of carts, producing a negative result. Burkett said the Merck Miles operation had an operating agreement fixed cost of roughly $420,000 plus disposal of roughly $193,000 last year, producing total operating costs around $613,000 and a profit-sharing-related loss just over $600,000.
Staff summary and recommendations: Burkett said disposal rates have increased (about a 9% rise recently) and that…
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