By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Trash rates for Hays residents will be going up starting in January. The last rate increase was in 2019.
Commissioners unanimously agreed that beginning in January 2027, a four-year step process will increase rates by $2 each month to $22, $24, $26, then $28 a month in 2030.
City commissioners were advised by staff the past two years that a hike would be necessary to offset rising equipment, fuel, and personnel costs, higher tipping fees at the Ellis County landfill, inflation and to adequately fund reserves.
Solid waste services include refuse collection, recycling collection, compost operations, the annual fall cleanup and tree disposal for residential customers.
The current monthly rate for solid waste services is $19.91, with 69% of that going to weekly trash pickup.
Commissioners examined various scenarios of increases by percentages, one large hike or phased in step increases.
"I think with the environment everyone's in, it might be easier to stairstep slightly," said Alaina Cunningham, vice-mayor, "rather than just one big increase and stay stagnant."
"With everything going up for everybody across the board," said Shaun Musil, commissioner, "I think we should lean on less rather than more right now."
The hikes will bring the solid waste reserve fund up to about $1 million.
Joe Billinger, solid waste superintendent, said the city has about 7,325 customer units, with some households having more than one blue polycart.
"Each year as the city grows, we add a few more customers," Billinger said.
Pteranodon Addition final plat
Commissioners also approved the the final plat for Pteranodon Addition, which was previously approved by the Hays Area Planning Commission.
The 27-acre property is the site of the city's tree farm, near 22nd and Commerce Parkway just south of Interstate 70. A project that extends infrastructure across interstate has created the opportunity to develop the city-owned property, which required platting.
Commissioner David Vilaysing was absent from the meeting.
The complete Nov. 12 Hays City Commission meeting may be viewed below, courtesy Nex-Tech.