Carson City Board of Supervisors to consider fee increases at landfill

Proposed rate increases at the Carson City Landfill are returning to the Board of Supervisors at their Thursday meeting, which starts at 8:30 a.m. in the community center.

If approved, the rate hikes would take effect July 1. The rate for Carson City residents disposing of solid waste would increase from $24 a ton to $30 a ton, with a $10 minimum charge remaining the same. The out-of-city fee for solid waste would increase from $58 a ton to $74 ton, with the minimum charge rising from $30 to $42.

Supplemental charges also would be added to some items. Appliances with refrigerants, for example, would cost $25 for Carson residents to dispose of and $50 for those out of city. Tire disposal would depend on tire size and range from $7 each to $30 each for residents or double the price for out-of-city customers.

Two readings are required for a new ordinance to be adopted. The rates would affect tipping fees at the landfill, not trash collection services at homes.

As part of the proposed rates, supervisors will consider a business impact statement and two interlocal agreements, one with Gardnerville and one with Minden.

In a letter dated Jan. 19, Jeffery Tillman of Douglas Disposal said the rate increases would have “significant financial impacts to our operations” and would be passed on to customers. The letter also said Douglas Disposal could, alternatively, redirect some or all material to “a less expensive landfill.”

Douglas Disposal itself charges $113.35 a ton at the Douglas County Transfer Station, regardless of residency.

Both the towns of Minden and Gardnerville are seeking a phase-in interlocal agreement that would set the out-of-city rate for solid waste to $66 per ton for a year.  

According to a report by Carson City Public Works that was released in December, the new rates would raise roughly $1 million a year for capital improvements and operations. The 212-acred landfill has been run by Public Works since 2000 and hasn’t seen a rate change since 2011.

In other action:

• Supervisors will consider a roughly $2 million federal grant that would be used for wildfire fuels reduction in western Carson City.

The grant stems from the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act’s Hazardous Fuels Reduction and Wildfire Prevention program. It would be awarded through November 2028 and would require a local match of up to $30,000.

“The project will allow the Carson City Fire Department to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire by reducing wildfire fuels on 850 acres in the Wildland Urban Interface surrounding western Carson City by hand thinning, mechanical thinning and controlled burns,” reads a staff report. “This treatment will significantly reduce hazardous fuels along the west side of Carson City, which is very susceptible to wildfire. The $30,000 local match obligation can be met by in-kind contribution.”

• Supervisors will consider a resolution augmenting and amending the Carson City 2022-2023 budget in the amount of approximately $131 million dollars.

“The proposed augmentation and revision is primarily due to carryover of program

costs from the prior year's budget, board actions, federal and local grants, transfers of contingency and unanticipated sources of revenue,” says a staff summary.

• Supervisors will appoint two members to the Historic Resources Commission, each for a four-year term.

The commission is comprised of seven members. Lou Ann Speulda-Drews is requesting reappointment, and Joan Wright submitted a new application.

Supervisors will also consider appointing one member to the 911 Surcharge Advisory Committee due the resignation of another member. The position is for a representative of a local exchange carrier. Charles “Andy” Polisso of AT&T is seeking the appointment, according to a staff summary.

Supervisors will also convene as the Redevelopment Authority to consider appointing three members to the Redevelopment Authority Citizens Committee. One position is for a business or property owner from Redevelopment Area 2, and two positions are for citizens at large. Lee Kennedy submitted an application for the first position, and David Lambin, Margaret Green-Wilson, Richard Nagel and Ashley Ackerman submitted applications for the citizen-at-large positions.