Lovell council begins process to bump up garbage rates as costs continue to rise
The Lovell Town Council last week took the initial step toward increasing garbage collection rates for the first time in 16 years.
Meeting Tuesday for the regular October meeting, the council approved on first reading companion ordinances – 1016, 1017 and 1018 – dealing with the garbage rate issue, which came up during the recent audit of the town finances. In the audit, CPA James Seckman said the town was falling behind in the enterprise fund that builds over time the ability to purchase a new garbage truck, trash receptacles and other equipment.
Town administrator Jed Nebel said the last increase in garbage rates took place in 2008, and since then the cost of receptacles, fuel, labor and garbage trucks has risen substantially. He said he compared rates in Greybull, Powell and Cody and noted that the proposed increase would raise an additional $4,000 per month, which would “get us out of the hole” and raise enough money to replace a truck every few years.
Nebel said the proposed increase would increase the residential garbage fee by $3 per month and the business fee by $5 per month. One-family residences would be charged $23 per month for garbage services, rooming houses, multi-family dwellings and apartment houses $25 per month and business establishments, hotels and motels $25 per month. The increases are handled in Ordinance 1016.
Ordinance 1017 would repeal a section of the town code pertaining to collection districts and collection days, and 1018 establishes collection hours as being from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The October 8 meeting began with a public hearing regarding the renewal of town liquor licenses and the transfer of the Diamond J Bar license from Janice Hillman to Janice Hillman and Debora Nordenstam. Up for renewal were licenses for Maverik, the Conoco Country Store, Mustang Café, Rose City Lanes, the Shoshone Bar and the Market.
There were no public comments during the hearing, and the council voted to approve the renewals and the Diamond J transfer.
Spring and fall cleanup
Town clerk/treasurer Colleen Tippetts reported that the annual spring and fall cleanup programs are successful, with the town giving residents vouchers for hauling material to the landfill. The vouchers paid for 80 loads in the spring of 2023 and 54 loads in 2024, spending $3,074.70 on the program in 2023 and $2,155.40 in ’24. Vouchers also paid for 37 loads in the fall of 2022 and 45 loads in the fall of 2023, spending $840.65 in 2022 and $1,524.23 in ’23.
In other business October 8:
• Nebel presented to the council a proposed plat for a boundary line adjustment approved by the planning and zoning committee for a lot owned by Mike and Marianne Grant at 317 Nevada Avenue. The boundary line move would allow access to a building at the rear of the property from Third Street. The council approved the plat.
• The council voted to approve the annual Acknowledgement of Conflict of Interest and Consent to Representation agreement between the town and School District No. 2 since both governmental entities use the same law firm. The agreement allows the two to discuss issues like the swimming pool, Nebel said.
• As phase two of the Constitution Park Project continues, the council approved Change Order No. 4, which extends the completion date for the project to June of 2025. The council also approved Pay Request No. 4 for Midway Construction and Dirt Work in the amount of $67,641.90.
Nebel said the change order was needed because landscaping won’t be finished and the irrigation system installed until next spring. He said the project is “still on the glide path” for the funding agencies, and the project is within the budget.
• Nebel informed the council that the town has been approved for a $10,000 micro grant for the Mountain Bike Trail Study Nebel and a committee have been working on for several months now. He also said a grant application for the town hall remodel project has been submitted and will be considered in February.