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Council debates solid‑waste fee increase, directs staff to study individual cans and contract options
Summary
After a lengthy discussion the council declined an immediate $6/month rate increase and instead directed staff to analyze and report back on individual‑can rollouts, pilot programs, incremental rate options and comparisons to private hauler proposals.
Councilors spent an extended session evaluating the city’s solid‑waste enterprise fund and options for stabilizing long‑term funding for equipment replacement and operations.
Public Works Director Jim Rosvid described a depleted fleet of aging graders and trucks and noted one recent garbage truck purchase reduced the fund balance; Finance staff reported a prior fund balance and figures indicating the new truck was paid from reserves. Councilors and staff discussed the city’s historical enterprise‑fund model for waste services, recent county tipping fee increases, loss of recycling rebates, and the operational and blight‑reduction benefits of switching from shared 300‑gallon carts to individual customer cans (e.g., 90‑gallon carts). Rosvid said individual carts can reduce illegal dumping and may require route redesign or additional equipment; he recommended a pilot program to test implementation and flagged lease vs purchase options for heavy equipment.
Councilor Johnson moved to direct staff to provide cost estimates and a pilot plan comparing individual‑can replacement versus retaining 300‑gallon carts, including service and labor implications; the motion passed. Earlier in the discussion, Councilor Motley moved to raise garbage rates $6 per month beginning March 1 (later amended to April) to replenish reserves; after amendment to an April start the motion failed on roll call 4–3. Councilors debated whether to raise rates immediately or phase increases over several years; staff and the city administrator noted the $6/month proposal would return approximately $307,854 to reserves (staff projection) and help offset equipment cost pressures and wage increases. Councilors asked staff to present multiple scenarios, including an incremental increase plan and comparisons to price proposals from private haulers; the council approved a motion to direct staff to prepare that analysis for a future meeting.
The council also discussed operational options such as converting some services to private haulers, piloting individual carts on a problematic route, lease options for heavy equipment and potential impacts on commercial customers and multi‑unit housing. Councilors asked that firms who participated in recent hauler interviews be invited to present when staff returns with the analysis.
