Minden proposes trash rate hike

Minden is proposing its first trash rate increase in a half-dozen years, spurred in part by the increase in tipping fees at the Carson City Landfill.

According to the town, landfill costs have increased by 28 percent and green wastes costs are up 29 percent since 2017.

In addition salaries and befits have increased, along with other operating expenses, such as gas, oil and equipment.

Minden’s current monthly rate is $21.27. That’s lower than Gardnerville’s $24.32 and Douglas Disposal’s $28.10. Trash service is typically charged per quarter.

The towns operate their own garbage service while the rest of the county outside of the Lake Tahoe Basin is served by Douglas Disposal.

Collections for service are up $81,060 over the past five years to $841,750 last year, mostly due to an increase in accounts.

Expenses are up to $758,666, with a net operating revenue of $83,084.

The fund was in the red during fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21 when the town transferred $100,000 each year to fund road rehabilitation projects based on wear and tear from the garbage trucks. That experiment ended with the 2021-22 budget and the town doesn’t plan to repeat it as of Friday.

Both Gardnerville and Minden use the Carson City Landfill, which is raising rates for users from outside the capital.

In a nod to the towns, Carson City supervisors agreed to phase in the increase with the full amount hitting next year.

Trash and water service are covered in enterprise funds, which are separate from the town’s governmental budget. Under a forecast prepared by the town’s accountant, expenses will exceed revenues by $33,297 this year increasing to $198,017 by 2028-29. The town is using reserves to stay in the black this year.

Town Board members are scheduled to meet 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the CVIC Hall in Minden to discuss the rate increase. Wednesday’s session will be the first of two required public hearings for the increase.

The question for the board is whether to increase rates by 25 percent on July 1, 2024, or by 15 percent and then 10 percent the following year. Any increase would take effect on July 1, 2024.

Basic service would go to $26.59 per month under the 25-percent increase. It will go to $24.46 if the town phases in the increase.

Gardnerville residents experienced an 8 percent increase in rates last summer after Carson City supervisors agreed to phase in the increases.

According to the agreements, the out-of-city rate for solid waste for those two customers will be $66 a ton for one year before going to $74 per ton.