Council Committee Supports Garbage Fee Increase

The Cheyenne City Council Finance Committee on Monday voted 2-1 in favor of an 8 percent increase in garbage fees starting July 1.

But the full city council will have the final word on the issue.

City Public Works Director Vicki Nemecek says the fees would increase the average residential customer's bill by about $1.75 per month, while the average business would see an increase of about $6.05 per month.

Nemecek noted a study of garbage fees has recommended an average increase of about 8 percent over each of the next five years. Nemecek says the increase over the next five years would, among other things, give the department a 60 day cash reserve for operations and maintenance, eventually purchase equipment with cash rather than borrowing money.

Nemecek says the extra money would also allow the department to borrow money for phases two and three of work on the transfer station. Nemecek says that facility is over 30 years old and badly in need of both repair and expansion.

She also says the money would be used to eventually pay for a closure of an expansion of the landfill.

But she says the increase won't pay for the  expansion of the Happy Jack Landfill. She says if money to do that can't be found, the department will need $13 million to close the Happy Jack Landfill.

She says if that happens, the city will have to haul trash to Colorado, and pay whatever fees it ends up costing to dispose of garbage there.