Wheatland council approves sanitation, transfer-station rate changes; advances building-code and net-metering updates

The Wheatland City Council approved a $5 increase to sanitation rates and signed off on several other municipal measures during its regular meeting.

Council members voted to pass Ordinance 8-58 (sanitation rates) on third reading and Ordinance 8-59 (transfer-station rates) on third reading. Clerk (S12) said sanitation rates “is going up by $5 across the board for everybody,” and later clarified that transfer-station rates rise for county residents. Both motions carried on affirmative voice votes.

The council also took up Ordinance 8-60, an update to section 15.05.030 of the building code, and Ordinance 8-61 on net metering; both were advanced on second reading. The building-code update implements International Building Code (IBC) fire and life-safety requirements for new construction and for remodeling projects that exceed $1,000, including electrically operated devices with battery backup, Clerk (S12) said. Council members identified Matt Carpenter as the town’s building inspector, who will be responsible for enforcement.

On net metering, council members said residents who install solar panels may sell excess electricity back to the grid; the ordinance does not guarantee sell-back at the same retail rate charged to consumers, a council member noted. Permit requirements and standard permitting fees for rooftop solar were mentioned in the discussion.

Separately, the council approved the 2026 seal-coat and markings construction contract and approved Bar Engineering’s electrical engineering proposal for municipal work; both motions carried without further debate.

The council did not record a roll-call tally in the public record during the meeting; each motion was carried by affirmative voice vote.