by Kelsey Penrose
The Carson City Board of Supervisors heard a presentation Thursday regarding a proposal to increase landfill costs both for in-county and out-of-county users.
Public Works stated the landfill is nearly half way filled and the city needs to begin planning what they want to do with the future of the site.
In the meantime, usages of the landfill have greatly increased, and the landfill requires new staffing and equipment in order to meet the increase of operations.
Staff has recommended proposing an increase of approximately 2.5 percent each year, which would generate approximately $1 million per year for capital and operations.
The Board directed Public Works to adjust the proposed rates to increase out-of-county rates and to decrease the proposed in-county rates.
If accepted, the rate increase would be effective July 2023.
However, the rate increase would not apply to Waste Management in order to keep collection services low.
Citizens who utilize street pick up will not be affected by the proposed fee increases.
The Numbers
Current solid waste disposal costs $24 per ton to dispose of, including Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) compacted, MSW uncompacted, and Class III Inert/Construction and Demolition.
The proposed changes would increase costs to $30 per ton.
Wood waste and green waste is currently $12 per ton, which would be increased to $20 per ton.
The current in county minimum fee for under half a ton is $10 for MSW compacted and uncompacted and C&D, which would be increased to $15.
The in-county current minimum for wood waste and green waste is $6, which would be increased to $10.
Increases are also proposed in the categories of dead animals, medical, asbestos, tires, mobile homes, and more.
Out-of-country rates have always been higher than in-county rates, and will increase as well.
Currently, out-of-county rates for MSC compacted and uncompacted, and Class III Inert/C&D range from $36.50 to $58 per ton. Wood waste and green waste is at $24 per ton. The proposed increase would place all at $74 per ton.
Current out-of-county minimums are $30 for MSC compacted and uncompacted and Class III Inert/C&D, and $12 for wood and green waste. The proposed increase would be $37 for all categories.
Increases will also be found for tires, trailers or mobile homes, dead animals, and more.
Currently, there has been no fee in taking appliances with refrigerant for out-of-county users, but now each appliance will carry a $50 disposal fee.
Public Works need that in comparison to surrounding rates used by Lockwood Landfill and Douglas County, the proposed increased are still much lower.
For example, Lockwood charges between $46-$60 for MSC and Class III Inert/C&D, and $79 for wood and green waste.
Douglas County charges $113 for MSC and Class III Inert/C&D, and $51.85 for wood and green waste.
“We’re still the cheapest game in town,” Cooley said.
The ‘Why’
Ten years ago in 2012, the landfill brought in a gross revenue of $3.3 million. Today, that amount has more than doubled, with a gross revenue in 2022 of $6.7 million.
Trips have increased from 92,000 in 2012, to 129,000 in 2022, with an increase of 129,685 tons of waste collected.
Operating expenses have increased from $1.57 million to $2.42 million. The majority of the expenses are designated to equipment.
The landfill operates with one supervisor, eight operations staff members, and three gate house staff members.
The landfill requires additional staff due to a myriad of reasons including increasing regulatory and environmental requirements, equipment and site maintenance, recycling of wood waste and metals and more.
An important reason for the community at large is the need for a load compliance checker and a tipping station who can check for illegal dumping — something that has caused multiple explosions and fires at the landfill over the years.
“When we have a combustion event in the middle of the night that happens out there, we get a lot of metal tanks and stuff that explode,” Cooley said. “There’s a bunch of things that shouldn’t be there that get past.”
Other costs highlighted by Public Works include an increase in disposal costs for household hazardous wastes, a tipping pad facility to keep the public out of the actual landfill, equipment maintenance, landfill expansion and more.
The landfill is almost halfway filled, with 56 percent of volume remaining. The growth of the landfill is estimated at approximately 8 percent per year.
Staff has estimated that the landfill will be full in approximately 20 years.
“We need to start planning for funding the future of the landfill,” said Public works Operations Manager Rick Cooley. “What does this look like? Does Carson City continue to have a landfill? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Are we ready to pay to send it elsewhere — there are several things we can look at.”
Board Response
“Our job is not to plan for today,” Mayor Lori Bagwell said. “Our job is to plan for five years, and 10 years, and 20 years down the path. When I look at all of this, overall, I think you’re certainly on the right methodology and the right track.”
Bagwell asked if there was a way to provide more relief for in-county rate minimums.
“I want to encourage appropriate removal of garbage and waste in our community, and I think we’ve worked extremely hard to get the waste down on our public open spaces — because we encouraged that within our rate structure.”
Bagwell stated she’d like to see the rate minimum for in-county be reduced, and out-of-county increased.
Supervisor Maurice White stated in that comparison with the rates of nearby facilities, Carson City is being “gouged” by their low rates for out-of-county users.
“If someone is willing to drive all way from Herlong past Lockwood to come to Carson, we’re not priced right,” White said. “I have a larger concern with the longevity.”
To view all proposals for the landfill please click here.
