Commission approves modified landfill rates after tied refinement vote

The Ottumwa/Wapello Solid Waste Commission approved a modified schedule of landfill rate increases on April 23, 2026 that will take effect July 1.

Supervisor Ziegler presented the original proposal, which listed a number of specific increases including "Landfill tipping fee from $63 to $69 per ton; shingles from $63 to $100 per ton; concrete from $0 to $10 per ton; yard waste/brush/tree debris from $0 to $18 per ton; yard waste/brush/tree debris from Commercial hauler from $33.50 to $48 per ton; contaminated soil from $110 to $120 per ton; asbestos from $84 to $93 per ton; granite from $0 to $34.50 per ton." That full list, read into the record, prompted extended discussion among commissioners about impacts and specifics.

A motion by Supervisor Darren Batterson to "refine the Landfill rates for the next meeting" was seconded by Teninty and failed on a recorded 4–4 tie (ayes: Batterson, Duprey, Galloway, Teninty; nays: Caviness, Hoffman, Reid, Ziegler). Following the tie, Council member Galloway moved to approve the presented landfill rates with two modifications: reducing the shingles increase so shingles would be charged $75 per ton instead of $100, and charging granite at the full landfill rate of $69 per ton rather than the $34.50 originally listed. The motion also deferred Recycling Center rates to the next meeting. Teninty seconded the motion and it carried on a voice vote noted in the minutes as "All ayes."

The record shows the commission also reviewed revenue and expense statements for the landfill and recycling operations earlier in the meeting before taking the rate votes. The rate changes are set to take effect July 1; the minutes do not specify any implementation steps beyond the vote or list the precise effective-hours procedures for commercial haulers.