BEATRICE – As the Beatrice Area Solid Waste Agency moves forward with the construction of a new landfill southwest of the city, local residents will see an increase in their garbage bills. The Beatrice City Council has approved a rate increase that will add an additional dollar to monthly trash fees. City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer explained that these changes are necessary to help pay off bonds issued for the $13.1 million landfill project.

“We’re looking about five dollars per ton is what we’re proposing here for a rate increase. These will be effective March 31st. Other increases that are in there....rolloff containers will go up one dollar per cubic yard. C-and-D (Construction and Demolition) waste will go up two dollars a cubic yard. Brush remains the same except for commercial haulers. Asbestos, we are proposing an increase of two dollars per cubic yard,” Tempelmeyer said.

The new rate adjustments also apply to communities outside of Beatrice that use the landfill services. The last adjustment to landfill rates was made in 2022.

As part of the ongoing landfill project, Beatrice officials approved payments totaling just under $175,000 to Genesis Contracting Group and Pruss Excavation for continued work on the new facility. This new landfill is expected to open later this year.

In addition to landfill rate adjustments, the Beatrice City Council also authorized up to $700,000 in municipal airport revenue bonds for improvements at the Beatrice Municipal Airport. This funding will result in a one-cent increase to the city’s property tax rate. Interest rates on the bonds are projected to be between 3.8% and 4.25%.

Lastly, the Beatrice City Council announced a change in meeting times. Starting in April, city council meetings will begin at 6 p.m. instead of the previous 7 p.m. time. Regular council meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Originally reported by Doug kennedy in News Channel Nebraska.