Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kingman council approves solid‑waste rate hike, discontinues drop‑off recycling
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance No. 2,000 to raise solid waste rates (an 8.25% increase under the adopted Option A) and discontinue the drop‑off recycling program after staff said the pilot had generated limited revenue and would cost close to $200,000 to operate through June.
The City of Kingman adopted Ordinance No. 2,000 on May 19 to increase solid waste residential and commercial rates and to discontinue the city’s drop‑off recycling program after a brief pilot period.
Tina Moline, presenting the solid waste financial plan, told the council the system needs revenue to cover operational and capital costs — notably truck replacements and an additional route and operator anticipated in FY 2028. She said the drop‑off recycling trial had generated little revenue and that the program’s cost through the end of June was expected to be "close to $200,000," leaving the system to absorb the expense unless the council chose otherwise.
Moline explained the recommended Option A would implement an 8.25% increase to residential and commercial rates (the option carried a multi‑year schedule staff recommended to preserve a 60‑day cash reserve target) and end the drop‑off recycling program. She said the program was not sustaining itself and continuing it would require rates to cover the shortfall.
Public commenters urged caution. Dr. Rob Christiansen said the proposed 8.25% increases were substantially higher than recent inflation rates and asked whether alternatives such as once‑weekly collection or other cost cuts had been explored. Wayne (Holins/Hollins/Holmes in the record) urged that the city build scale and processing capacity before charging rates that would suppress participation and result in landfill disposal.
Councilors discussed cost drivers, the limited use of the recycling drop‑off, and the trade‑offs between service frequency and rate impacts. After discussion Councilor [motion maker recorded in the minutes] moved to approve Ordinance No. 2,000; the motion passed by voice vote.
The ordinance will implement the adopted rate schedule and discontinue the drop‑off recycling program; staff said they will continue to look for grant or operational changes that could support recycling or other diversion programs in the future.
