City Manager Explains Trash Rates

Sidney City Manager Ed Sadler met with business owners Wednesday evening to answer questions about the city's trash rates.

Part of the issue is how much are businesses being charged and why were the rates increased.

"Yes, we are revising trash rates," Sadler said Wednesday, Sept. 19.

Sadler said when he accepted the duties of city manager about two years ago, the landfill was operating on an annual deficit of several hundred thousand dollars. He said rates were increased to meet the costs and for upgraded equipment. The landfill district committed to a $1.5 million bond this summer to purchase new equipment at the landfill.

"With those two things, I knew it was time to adjust rates," Sadler said.

Sadler said the landfill had been using a baler until it could no longer be repaired. The $1.5 million purchases a new baler and shredder.

He said the cost by unit of trash is the same for residential and commercial customers. The difference is in the size of the container and the number of times it is emptied. He said the minimum cost for business customers is $25 to $31 per month at $18.50 per yard, plus $6 per pickup.

He added that several downtown businesses were sharing receptacles; in some cases without the knowledge of the other business. Since the rate change, businesses are meeting together, combining efforts and in some cases having receptacles removed or reducing the number of times it is serviced.

"Nobody downtown needed five times per week, so we automatically went to three times a week," Sadler said.

He said the cardborad receptacles are still available in downtown Sidney and reduce the amount of trash in the receptacles. Cardborad collection is also at no cost to the customer. Cardboard collection dumpsters are placed in each block downtown.

Sadler added that in addition to adjusting the price structure, the City is working on saving costs. Reducing the number of trips picking up trash reduces the need for staff. He said changing downtown trash pickup from five times a week to three saves two staff positions.

Sadler was asked about pricing in relation to the population of Sidney. He said since six months after he arrived in Sidney, there have been 700 new city utility customers. He stressed they are not residents moving from one home to another, but to the city of Sidney.