Sandoval County adopts phased landfill rate increases, commercial volume discounts; approves bonds, EMS contract and hospital advisory appointment

Sandoval County commissioners on Sept. 10 voted to raise several landfill fees on a phased schedule, adopt a commercial volume-discount program to attract larger haulers, approve two postponed bond issues and authorize several contracts and appointments at the county commission chambers in Bernalillo.

The commissioners adopted Resolution 9-10-25 to adjust landfill rates effective July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2027, and separately approved a volume-discount schedule meant to increase daily tonnage at the county landfill. County Public Works Director Mark Hatzenbuehler said the changes are intended to allow the county to "slowly reach the required rates to operate and to develop the solid waste landfill and provide ample notice to customers for these changes." He walked commissioners through line-item increases, including a $1 per-ton step increment on certain disposal categories and modest rises for specialty disposal, mattresses and tires.

"So per bag, 30 gallons or less, it's currently $1. We're not gonna raise that price because per bag, it'll still be a dollar for the next 2 years," Hatzenbuehler said while summarizing the schedule for residents and commercial customers. He told the board commercial haulers' per-ton rates would move roughly in $1 steps to follow a previously completed seven-year study.

The commission also approved a separate resolution to offer tiered monthly volume discounts for commercial customers;…