Council hears plan to raise residential refuse rates after years of flat fees and rising landfill costs

Public works staff told the council the city has not raised residential refuse rates since 2015 while landfill disposal fees and refuse/recycling service costs have climbed, depleting the refuse enterprise fund.

"The last rate increase was in 2015. Since then, landfill fees have increased by 22%, and refuse and recycling services have increased by 61%," Mr. Stornall said, describing revenue and expense projections through 2026 and noting the green site currently takes in about $37,005.79 while expenses were about $73,005.82.

Staff proposed consolidating the $2 green-site card into monthly rates and implementing phased increases beginning July 1, 2025, with additional steps in January and July 2026 so the typical 64-gallon service would move from about $16.25 now to $20.33 on July 1, then $24.42 on Jan. 1, and $28 on July 1, 2026, to rebuild reserves and cover contracted increases.

Council members agreed that incremental annual adjustments may be the best long-term approach and discussed the difficulty of rebuilding reserves to the target level. Council member Kaysby raised a rumor that the current contractor (referred to as "Rachel") may retire and that Waste Management could take over routes; members noted that a change in contractor or moving to city-run collection would alter long-term costs and suggested reviewing contract options and outs if that transition occurs.

No final vote on refuse rates occurred at this meeting; staff will return with detailed rate schedules and a plan for implementation.