Grundy Center council moves to publish $1 residential garbage fee increase after contractor rate hike

The Grundy Center City Council voted Feb. 3 to publish Ordinance 580 for a public hearing on Feb. 17 that would raise the monthly residential solid waste servicing fee by $1, to $15 per month.

Mayor Dr. Paul Eberline opened the discussion and Public Works Director Dan Bangasser said the increase responds to a rate hike from the city's contractor, Rite Environmental, Inc., noting the contractor’s increase comes three years after the last adjustment. "This increase comes three years after the last increase from the contractor," Bangasser said, explaining the city must pass the ordinance to set the residential rate.

At the same meeting the council adopted Resolution 2025-06 to accept Rite Environmental's increases for residential and commercial tip fees and to set new commercial dumpster utility rates. Clerk Kristy Sawyer described the new charges: commercial dumpster rental rates will increase $1 per size to $8.75 per month for a 2-yard dumpster, $14.75 per month for a 4-yard, and $20.75 per month for a 6-yard; the commercial dumpster tip rate will rise $1 to $15 per tip; residential dumpster rentals will increase $5 per size (2-yard $65, 4-yard $85, 6-yard $105).

Smith moved and Mcdonald seconded to publish Ordinance 580 for the Feb. 17 public hearing; the motion carried five ayes. The separate motion to accept the contractor rate increases (Resolution 2025-06) also carried five ayes.

The council’s action sets the process for public input at the Feb. 17 hearing; any final authorization to change the residential monthly fee will occur after that hearing and subsequent ordinance action.