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Hibbing approves purchase of 427 sanitation carts and discusses move to single-can, possible weight billing
Summary
Council approved purchasing 427 additional 95-gallon garbage carts to complete a citywide switch to a single-can system; staff described resident outreach, said the only immediate customer charge increase would be $2.24 for some customers, and noted a possible future move to weight-based billing remains under internal discussion.
The council on July 15 approved a request from city administration to buy 427 additional 95-gallon carts for the sanitation department to complete a planned switch to a one-can system.
City administration said the swap begins Monday and that the city is roughly 30 carts short; the requested purchase will cover that gap and provide some inventory for households that need additional carts or replacements. Staff explained multiple outreach efforts: 6,100 informational mailings through Public Utilities, flyers delivered with new cans and social-media and website notices.
On cost, staff said the only immediate rate difference is a $2.24 charge for customers who move from a larger can to the standard 95-gallon can; that amount matches the current charge for 95-gallon containers. Councilors asked whether the city planned to move to weight-based billing; staff said internal conversations have occurred and the technology exists on trucks to support weight billing but no council decision has been made and further discussion is needed because of seasonal concerns (vermin, bears) and operational details.
Why it matters: the swap and potential future changes to billing can affect household waste costs and routings; staff said they will produce a complete operating policy covering who pays for can changes and how billing will work.
Next steps: staff will place the cart order, complete the swap, finalize outreach materials and return to council with any proposed billing changes.
