LaSalle County oversight committee approves host-fee report and CPI-adjusted landfill rates

LaSalle County’s oversight committee on Feb. 4 approved the county’s quarterly and annual host-fee reports and a 2026 CPI adjustment to the host-benefit rates for landfill tonnage.

County staff member Stephanie presented the packet and said the fourth-quarter host-fee payment totaled roughly $154,003.45 and year-to-date host-fee receipts were about $472,004.00. She summarized the CPI calculation for 2026 and the resulting tiered rates: "$3.10 a ton up to 105,000 tons, $4.74 per ton for 105,001–139,999 tons, and $6.49 per ton for material over 140,000 tons," Stephanie said. The committee approved the reports and CPI increase by voice vote.

Republic Services representatives answered committee questions about inspections and operations. Julie Pramo, landfill operations manager for Republic, introduced herself and Eric Dippen and Paxton Richards, who said inspections largely found prior violations resolved but noted one new violation notice late in the prior quarter. Eric Dippen, Republic’s environmental manager, reported that the contractor completed excavation of the new cell in 2025 and that work on the liner is paused until spring; he said the county expects IEPA certification "sometime late summer, early fall" before accepting waste in Cell 4 North, which is about five acres.

Committee members and Republic staff also discussed recent declines in incoming tonnage. A Republic representative attributed part of the drop to a hauling-group strike and picketing that diverted some haulers to other companies, reducing volumes: "When we had the strike this summer, Republic Services hauling group had the strike and picketed outside the landfill, which prevented some of the haulers from coming in and disposing," a Republic representative said.

County staff and Republic also reviewed capacity documents. Brian (land-use staff) referenced the IEPA capacity certification certified as of Jan. 1, 2025, and the committee noted an estimated remaining landfill life of about 32 years, while Republic staff said that life estimate depends on future tonnage and compaction levels.

The oversight committee approved the reports and CPI-adjusted rate by voice vote and adjourned oversight business before resuming land-use items.

What comes next: Republic said it will continue offline discussions with county staff about any proposed changes to the host agreement and service-area addendum that expires in June; the committee indicated it expects to see a resolution if staff and Republic recommend extending the current agreement with CPI language.