Council passes solid-waste fee amendment after debate over resource authority rates and ordinance limits

Gallatin City Council voted May 6 to approve an amendment to the city’s solid-waste code (Gallatin Municipal Code ch. 14 §14.9) adjusting collection services and fees after extended discussion about how regional Resource Authority fees are set and the limits of the city’s ordinance.

The debate centered on whether the Resource Authority can increase what it charges the city absent an update to the municipal ordinance that fixes a maximum rate. Councilman Gervontz said constituents were upset about a proposed raise and asked whether the resource authority had sufficient reserves to delay any increase.

Councilman Gervontz: “My constituents are not happy about that raise... I would like to know is how much money the resource authority have in a bank and if they can keep the rate... at least for one more year, until the economy gets better.”

Mayor Paige Brown and other councilmembers responded that some cost increases stem from charges passed through from Smith County and that the city does not have an immediate alternative provider. The mayor said the city expects Resource Authority representatives to provide updated numbers and noted the existing ordinance establishes a maximum rate the authority may charge the city. "Until that is passed, the resource authority technically cannot raise a rate to the city of Gallatin. That's black and white," a councilmember said during debate.

Council members pressed for clarity on who must change the maximum rate — an ordinance change by the council or an agreement among multiple jurisdictions — and asked staff to work with the Resource Authority to get Smith County’s fee updates. Staff said the Resource Authority had indicated it would bring updated figures once Smith County finalized its numbers.

The ordinance (02504-24) was moved by Councilman Jones and seconded by Councilman Fennell and was approved on second reading. Councilmembers directed staff to follow up with the Resource Authority and report back with the authority’s current reserves and the fee schedule that will drive the July implementation.

Speakers in the discussion included Councilman Gervontz, Mayor Paige Brown and Councilman Alexander; no Resource Authority representative was present at the meeting. The council’s vote on the ordinance was recorded as passing on second reading; staff and the authority will coordinate next steps for implementation and public information.

Ending: Council requested that Resource Authority financial details and Smith County updates be provided to the council before the July implementation date so the council and residents can review the basis for the new collection fees.