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Cornish council adopts higher garbage fee and adds $2.50 administrative charge
Summary
Cornish Town Council adopted a budget amendment and amended the town fee schedule, increasing the garbage pickup component and adding a $2.50 monthly administrative fee for can handling to cover rising landfill and administrative costs; the budget amendment and fee-schedule resolution passed by council vote.
Cornish — The Cornish Town Council voted to amend the town budget and change the fee schedule to raise the residential garbage pickup component and add a new $2.50 per account administrative fee for can handling, billing and inventory tracking.
Council members said the move is intended to cover rising landfill charges passed through from Lewiston/Logan and growing staff time for ordering, serializing and tracking cans. Staff told the council the current bill combines an $18 pickup charge and a landfill pass-through (about $6.50), and that left the town running a deficit on sanitation services. After debate about whether to raise fees annually or apply a one-time increase, the council separated the pickup fee from a new administrative charge so the town can more easily track both revenue and the landfill pass-through.
The council first opened a public budget hearing, discussed the revenue implications and then adopted resolution 25-03 (the FY2025–26 budget amendment) by roll call. Immediately afterward the body voted to adopt resolution 25-04, amending the fee schedule to implement the garbage pickup adjustment and the administrative fee. The chair stated the fee schedule change will be reflected on bills; staff was asked to include explanatory language in the town newsletter and on utility statements so residents understand the effective date and components of the bill.
Council members and staff flagged operational issues tied to the change: the town must maintain an inventory of serialized cans (a one-time stencil/serial set-up fee was discussed) and ensure the contract with the vendor (Econowaste) is clear about where containers must be placed for pickup (contract language cited requires containers be within two feet of blacktop and readily accessible to equipment). Members also discussed whether to classify some accounts as commercial and how to display landfill pass-throughs on separate bill lines.
The budget amendment and fee schedule resolution passed in the meeting; staff summarized at adjournment that the pickup fee will be adjusted to $21 and a $2.50 administrative fee will be added to bills, with the landfill fee listed separately as the current Logan City landfill rate passed through via Lewiston.
Council action and next steps include communication with the contractor to confirm pickup logistics, updating the fee schedule documentation, and reflecting the change in the town newsletter and utility bills so residents know the effective date and reasons for the change.
