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Carlin approves one-year sanitation franchise adjustments, trims Elko Sanitation's 12% request to 10%
Summary
After hearing Elko Sanitation cite higher labor and equipment costs, the Carlin City Council directed clarifications to the franchise form, approved a $25 reinstatement fee, and voted to reduce a proposed 12% rate increase to 10% for the upcoming year.
The Carlin City Council reviewed proposed amendments to the Elko Sanitation franchise and a companion rate increase resolution on Oct. 25. Elko Sanitation district manager Jason Kirschenmann and operations manager Charles Lloyd told the Council rising wages, insurance and parts costs prompted a requested 12% increase; the company said starting wages have risen to $29 per hour and vehicle/parts costs have climbed substantially.
Councilmembers raised several operational concerns: inconsistent or missed pickups, charges for extra collections, damaged or brittle totes, and unclear billing language in the current franchise form. Residents at the meeting reported instances of extra charges for on-demand pickups and cans left unemptied.
Elko representatives proposed adding a $25 reinstatement fee to cover the cost of disconnecting and reconnecting delinquent accounts and said they would replace broken totes and improve driver responsiveness. Councilmember Cameron Kinney asked staff to insert clarifying language into section 5-10-22 of the franchise form to specify that no rental or application fees apply for listed residential services and that haul-off charges alone may apply for extra services.
On the rate increase, Elko said its proposed 12% reflected recent changes in the consumer price index and operating costs. Council expressed concern about passing a large increase to small-town households and asked for a shorter, one-year term to allow re-evaluation. Vice Mayor Margaret Johnston moved to lower the proposed 12% to 10% for Carlin; the motion carried. The Council forwarded ordinance language for a second reading with the requested clarifications and approved a 10% rate adjustment by motion.
Key numbers disclosed at the hearing: a proposed $25 reinstatement fee for delinquent accounts, a $50 customer setup fee for fiber internet referenced elsewhere in the meeting, and the sanitation company’s reported $29/hour starting wage for drivers. Council opted for a one-year franchise term with revisiting of terms and rates next year.
