By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Costs to the City of Hays to provide solid waste services continue to keep going up. City commissioners are considering raising rates, as current fees are also not keeping up with inflation.
The last rate increase was in 2019. The structure included increases of 10%, 9%, 5%, 2%, and 2% over a 5-year period.
Staff and commissioners have been talking about the increased expenses and how to pay for them over the past two years.
Without a rate increase, the current reserve fund balance would begin plunging down next year, according to figures presented Thursday by Collin Bielser, deputy city manager.
"Cumulatively, inflation has now exceeded our sanitation fee, so the ability to put the proper amount in reserve so we can afford new equipment is what's becoming the issue right now," Bielser said.
Solid waste services include refuse collection, recycling collection, compost operations, the annual fall cleanup, and tree disposal for residential customers.
Customers currently pay $19.91 a month for solid waste services, with 69% of that going to weekly trash pickup, according to the City of Hays.
Hays' trash is taken to the Ellis County Landfill's transfer station and then trucked by a contract hauler to Garden City. Tipping fees at the Ellis County Landfill have also gone up.
Bielser said large expenses are coming up in the capital improvement plan over the next few years to replace some major equipment and increase the truck fleet.
"It's the reason for need of a rate increase and to keep the fleet operational. ... If we keep growing at the rate that we are with all the [property] lots that are coming on, we're probably going to have to start looking at adding a fourth refuse truck to our fleet," he said.
The purchase cost of one trash truck in 2027 is estimated at $400,000.
Bielser presented three options for rate increase structures. Two came from commissioners with suggestions of flat rate hikes.
Shaun Musil, commissioner, suggested an immediate jump to $25 a month that would start in 2027. Alaina Cunningham, vice-mayor, suggested flat rates of $22, $24, and $26—$2 dollar hikes each—over the next three years.
The third suggestion presented by Bielser was similar to the graduated increases of 10%, 9%, 5%, 2%, and 2% over a 5-year period that was implemented in 2019.
None of the commissioners spokes against solid waste rate increases.
"Looking for you guys to discuss how to structure this rate increase," Bielser said. "Our suggestion is to try to end up with that reserve fund balance in 2034 somewhere between $500,000 to a $1 million."
"[Most] of those vehicles we're looking to replace are beyond the normal end date of that equipment," said Sandy Jacobs, commissioner.
The three automated trucks were put into service eight years ago in 2019, according to Jesse Rohr, public works director. "Industry standard for an automated truck like that is six years," he said. "The recycling trucks have lasted longer. There's less moving parts."
Commissioners moved the agenda item forward to their Nov. 12 meeting. More discussion is expected.
Pteranodon Addition final plat
Commissioners also heard from Rohr regarding the final plat for Pteranodon Addition.
The property is currently 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 property, which would require platting.
The Hays Area Planning Commission approved the final plat during its Oct. 19 meeting.
The item was moved forward to the next meeting.
Executive session
A 30-minute executive session was requested by Commissioner Musil to discuss data relating to financial affairs and trade secrets of corporations, ownerships, trusts, or individual proprietorships to include the deputy city manager, assistant city manager, city attorney and city commissioners.
No action was taken following the executive session.
Mason Ruder, mayor of Hays, and Toby Dougherty, city manager, were absent from the meeting.