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Kingman council sets May public hearing on solid-waste rate increase, opts for short-term recycling funding
Summary
After a staff presentation showing a projected reserve shortfall and high fleet and program costs, the Kingman City Council voted to adopt a notice of intent to consider increasing solid-waste rates and to proceed with Option A — short-term recycling funding through June — with a May 19 public hearing.
The Kingman City Council voted March 17 to adopt a notice of intent to consider raising solid-waste rates and to bring the matter back for a public hearing on May 19.
City finance staff presented a five-year financial plan showing a gap between current revenues and the costs to operate the solid-waste system while preserving a 60-day operating cash reserve. Tina Moline, who led the presentation, said the city’s solid-waste fleet includes about 31 trucks — many 17 to 20 years old — and that the city plans to keep its fleet aging no older than 10 years by replacing vehicles on a schedule that will require financing. She said adding a new route in 2028 will require hiring an additional full-time equivalent (FTE) (a fully burdened employee costed at about $84,000) and buying a replacement truck (estimated at roughly $518,000), both of which drive future rate needs.
Moline outlined three rate-and-recycling options. Option A funds the recycling drop-off program only through June and keeps the city’s 60-day reserve target; under that option residential customers would see a monthly increase from the current $21.69 to $23.48 (an $1.79 increase). Option B extends recycling funding through June 2027 and would raise rates slightly more; Option C would fully fund recycling across the five-year plan and cost more. Moline said the drop-off recycling program has generated less than $2,000 through February and staff estimates about $10,000 in revenue through June, while the program’s expenses are much higher (about $190,000 projected by June).
Public commenters and councilors questioned whether it is appropriate to have all city ratepayers subsidize recycling that survey results showed only about one-third of respondents would use. Council member Ward said he opposed making “every rate payer pay for recycling,” arguing the program benefits a subset of residents. Other councilors said a modest trial period (Option B) could be useful; Council member Dykins and Council member Walker favored ending the program now (Option A), citing low participation and the availability of free recycling options nearby.
After discussion, the council voted to adopt a notice of intent to consider the proposed increase under Option A and to schedule a May 19 public hearing. Any final rate changes would take effect July 1 if adopted following the hearing.
The council asked staff to return to the May meeting with formal ordinance language and public-notice materials. Staff also flagged for future action that a February change to the Arizona Administrative Code removed a state requirement for twice-weekly commercial pickups; the city plans to adjust municipal code language to clarify local collection frequency as needed.
