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Desha County proposal would raise city trash rates to $6 amid rising disposal costs
Summary
The Desha County Quorum Court packet includes Resolution 2026-18, proposing to raise monthly city solid waste collection rates from $2 to $6 effective June 1, 2026, citing sharply higher disposal costs; the meeting transcript records the proposal and financial context but does not record a final vote.
Desha County officials placed a measure on the May 21, 2026 Quorum Court agenda that would raise monthly city solid waste collection rates from $2 to $6, citing a sharp rise in disposal costs and operational pressures on the county's sanitation services.
County Judge Wayne Smith told the court the county is facing higher costs for disposal services and local operations, saying, "The county is paying approximately $14,988 for a half-month of dumping services at Greenville, Mississippi." He told the court that annual revenues had been described as less than $30,000 while disposal costs approached $30,000 per month, and that the imbalance prompted the rate proposal recorded as Resolution 2026-18 in the meeting packet.
Resolution 2026-18, printed in the packet, states that effective June 1, 2026 monthly city rates "shall increase from $2.00 per month to $6.00 per month" and directs that the additional revenues be used exclusively for operation, maintenance, equipment replacement and improvement of the county's sanitation services. The resolution language also says it would take effect immediately upon passage and approval.
The court's financial pages accompanying the packet include the Solid Waste Fund ledger showing an ending balance of $621,445.11 as of April 30, 2026, and detailed month-to-month receipts and expenditures for multiple county funds. The transcript records Judge Smith's description of rising disposal costs and the rate proposal, but it does not record a vote or formal passage of Resolution 2026-18 during the segments provided.
The packet also includes Ordinance No. 2026-4, which would authorize the purchase of two trucks for the Desha County Landfill with funds appropriated from the Landfill/Solid Waste Fund; the ordinance text states it is necessary to preserve public health, safety and welfare and that funds are available and budgeted for the purchase. The transcript does not show whether the court took a formal vote on the ordinance during the reported segments.
Votes at a glance from the recorded segments: the minutes of the prior meeting were approved on a motion by JP 2 G. Lynn Weatherford and seconded by JP 8 Dollie Wilson (unanimous); the Treasurer's Report was approved on a motion by JP 5 Hollis Mankin, seconded by JP 6 Kenneth Holt Jr (unanimous); the Sheriff's Report was accepted by unanimous consent; and a motion to adjourn by JP 4 Ricky Helton, seconded by JP 2 G. Lynn Weatherford, carried unanimously.
Next steps: Resolution 2026-18 appears in the court packet and would take effect upon passage; the transcript segments provided do not record whether the Quorum Court voted to adopt the resolution or the listed ordinances at this session.
