City manager warns residents of negotiated county landfill tipping-fee increase; animal-care contract talks ongoing

City Manager Steve Franks briefed the council on two county-level negotiations that could affect Villa Park residents and city services.

Franks said county officials had initially proposed an 85% to 90% increase in the landfill tipping fee but that negotiations with city managers reduced the increase. "It is a substantial increase," he said, and he warned council members that the cost could be passed through to residents because the tipping fee is the county charge for dumping at the landfill and is separate from hauler fees. Franks said the current agreement includes a one-year extension through June 2026 while negotiations continue and that the city may need to hold further discussions or a closed-session briefing to obtain legal advice.

Franks also said the current 10-year animal-care contract with the county will expire in about 10 months and that council representatives on the negotiating team had reached a tentative understanding of terms; he said the item will likely return to council within two to three months for further consideration.

Councilmembers were notified that staff are preparing unified briefing notes to share with council members across cities in the county and that the city will monitor both negotiations closely.