Council discusses regional resource recovery options amid concerns about contract performance and hauling costs

Councilmembers spent a substantial portion of the meeting discussing options for handling municipal solid waste if Nevada were to join a regional resource recovery arrangement.

A councilmember who had met with neighboring communities said Marshalltown was not interested in accepting Nevada’s larger annual tonnage, though Hardin County might be open to negotiations. The council heard a possible estimate of about $70 per ton as a tipping fee in Hardin County, and discussed how any change could affect local haulers and resident costs.

Councilmember (Speaker 9) raised sharp concerns about the city’s existing agreement with a regional provider, saying the provider had been diverting Nevada’s waste — "they've diverted to Boone probably half the time" — and that rate increases had been announced despite the provider’s inconsistent performance. He suggested the city should seek contractual performance milestones or representation on decision‑making bodies before signing new agreements. The council debated the risk that signing a new agreement could signal acceptance of higher rates and diminished leverage under an eight‑year contract term.

Councilmember (Speaker 11) said he would continue discussions with Ames and other jurisdictions, and offered to put the item on a future council agenda to seek more information and possible conditions for any new contract. Members noted potential secondary effects: longer hauling distances for residents (an estimated 40‑minute round trip to some alternative facilities), the possibility of losing several local haulers (the city currently has seven), and uncertain impacts on rates for customers if haulers pass along higher costs.

No formal vote was taken; the council agreed to pursue further research and to return the matter to a subsequent meeting for potential action or formal direction to staff.