Kalispell approves increases in garbage collection rates

Kalispell’s garbage collection rates are increasing.

City Council on Monday approved a four-year rate increase for both residential and commercial services. For residential customers, the rate increase is $17 in the first year and then is set to increase by 5% in the next three years.

Public Works Director Susie Turner said the increase will support continued service for current customers, accounts for increased spending due to inflationary costs, and will help pay for one new full-time employee to serve new areas for the city.

Residential rates will go from $111 now, to $128 and then increase to a total of $148.

Commercial garbage collection includes two different levels of service and corresponding rates. The rate for those paying $338 per year now will eventually increase to $449. For those paying $411 now, the rate increases will end at $548.

Mayor Mark Johnson said bumping rates is prudent as the city plans for increasing operating costs.

“This is a tough economic time, but by the time we're done it’s a $3 per month increase,” he said.

The proposed rate increase came after city staff began reviewing the solid waste service fund in preparation for the city’s fiscal year 2023 budget. Staff found that revenue generated from the current assessment rates would not sustain the current level of service beyond the next fiscal year.

The city is facing large increases in equipment costs. The last time the city purchased a sidearm garbage truck, which serves the residential areas, the cost was $276,000. New trucks are estimated to cost $450,000.

Councilor Sid Daoud pointed out that though residential rates will increase to a total of $148 that is less than other cities around the state. Whitefish’s rate is $200 and Columbia Falls’ is $220.

“We’re still a bargain compared to other cities,” he said.

The increase in rates is also expected to assist in serving additional customers. By adding equipment and personnel, the city estimates that over time it could serve about 3,000 additional residential garbage customers.

The city now serves nearly 6,000 customers for garbage collection. The last time city solid waste rates, which are collected through property tax assessments, were increased was in 2011 and that was by $3 per year.

REGARDING THE property that houses the Hilton Garden Inn, Council authorized a contract for the sale and lease of the land — it is partially privately held and partially city-owned — to a new owner. Gateway Hospitality Group owned and leased the property to construct the hotel.

Kalispell Lodging, LLC earlier this year bought the hotel and then asked to purchase the land and lease the publicly-owned portion. The sale proceeds and future lease proceeds go to the Airport Users Association, which is in charge of the management and maintenance of the city airport.

The city is expected to realize a purchase price of nearly $60,000, and then subsequent funds for the lease portion of the agreement.

Council also approved an ordinance that repeals a 1981 requirement mandating that city firefighters live within three air miles of the city or within 15 minutes of a fire call. The repeal opens up flexibility in terms of where firefighters can reside and the city expects that will assist when hiring new first responders.

Council also approved three ordinances related to updating its building codes to meet changes in state, federal and international building code standards.

Features Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@dailyinterlake.com.