Finance director reports steady revenues; transfer-station costs and county hauling contracts flagged for review

At a Lancaster City Council meeting staff presented the January finance report, saying the city has collected about 90% of billed real property tax, vehicle-tax collections are ahead of projections and the city recorded $48,000 in capital improvement purchases in January.

"We have collected now about 90% of our billed real property tax," the staff member said during the presentation. The report also noted hospitality-tax receipts at roughly 58.3% of the year and unrestricted general-fund cash at about $9.5 million.

On solid-waste operations staff defended the citys transfer station as cleaner and more efficient than the county landfill and said private haulers who initially bid lower prices later face higher maintenance costs for tires, transmissions and other vehicle repairs because of rough landfill conditions. The presenter argued that the city should consider county contract terms so that county users and private haulers bear appropriate tipping fees rather than shifting costs to the city.

Staff described typical transfer-station turnaround times of about 20 minutes for most users but acknowledged peak waits can be longer. "We try our best to keep our facility as clean as we can... so at some point... when they have to start repairing rims placing tires... they will realize that it's not worth it," the presenter said, explaining why the citys fees reflect operating costs.

Council members asked clarifying questions; staff said they will review hauling contracts and tipping-fee arrangements as those contracts come up for renegotiation.