Council moves to pursue release from Ames/Story County waste contract and explore Marshall County option to cut tipping fees

City staff presented results from meetings with the Marshall County Solid Waste Commission about accepting Maxwell into their system. Marshall County offered a lower tipping fee ($62 per ton with a $20 minimum) compared with Story County’s $75 per ton that is expected to increase. Marshall County staff indicated they would likely accept Maxwell and offered recycling resources and community-education materials to support a transition.

Council discussed procedural steps required to exit the city’s existing 2080 agreement with Ames and Story County: the city must ask Ames to remove Maxwell from the agreement and must satisfy Story County requirements, including presenting a recycling plan and gaining formal approval from Marshall County. Staff noted Marshall County would not finalize acceptance until May, but urged beginning the process with Ames and Story County immediately to meet timing requirements.

A council member moved to pursue release from Ames and to explore joining Marshall County as soon as possible; the motion carried. The city’s contracted hauler indicated willingness to haul to whichever transfer station the city is accepted into, and staff will prepare the necessary steps for council to consider in forthcoming meetings.

Fiscal context: staff said current Story County tipping fees are roughly $75/ton and likely to rise; Marshall County’s quoted rate was $62/ton with a $20 minimum and a lower per-capita rate in some calculations. Council members said the move could reduce costs for residents and municipal budgeting.