Garbage rates could be going up in 2024

HARTINGTON – Hartington residents and business owners can expect an in crease in garbage rates in 202 4.

The Hartington City Council discussed the rising expenses for collecting garbage and the need to defray those costs at its Jan. 11 meeting. The meeting was originally slated for Jan. 8, but had to be post poned twice because of last week's winter storms.

Hartington Mayor Mark Becker said wages, insurance and the fee to drop gar bage at the landfill in Jackson hav e all gone up.

The city is also purchasing a new gar bage truck and the cost for paying for that is another factor in the decision to raise rates.

Becker proposed a rate increase of about 10 percent. If residential rates were to go up exactly 10 percent, residents would pay an additional $1.70 per month on a $17 residential garbage bill.

The Council agreed to look at its cur rent expenses and revenue projections and then put together a resolution for a rate increase at a future meeting.

Also during the meeting, the Council voted to annex land on the southwestern edge of the community.

The annexation includes Highway 84 out to the western edge of Pomp's Tire Service, and the property adjoining the north side of the highway. This will in clude the new industrial park, Pomp's and the new Cedar County Transit office. None of the property on the south side of High way 84 is being annexed, however.

All of these facilities currently take ad vantage of city utilities, so it makes sense they become part of the city, Becker said.

Becker said it is his hope that by annex ing the land, the city will also be able to slow down Highway 84 traffic. A reduced speed limit would not only be safer, but might also be beneficial for the new indus trial park, he said.

Also during the meeting, the Council accepted the resignation of Deputy City Clerk Daniellah de Waal. The city is currently advertising for her replacement.

Council members also heard a report from City Clerk Brittni Benscoter about a texting service to keep the public informed about garbage pickup, city closures and other city activities.

She told the Council she has researched this area quite a bit and found a service that would be cost-effective and greatly reduce the number of phone calls to the city office.

The Council also agreed to try and sell city-owned property that formerly housed the community garden. Council members decided the minimum bid for the property must be at least $15,000.

The Council also received the December Cedar County Sheriff’s Office report. The sheriff's office responded to seven calls in December, including one for criminal mischief and one for a disturbance. Law enforcement also assisted with two EMT calls. The sheriff's office wrote two cita tions in the city limits in December.