Solid waste signatures could come at meetings next week

    It appeared to be close before, but discussion at Monday’s Imperial city council meeting indicates the city and county may have finally reached agreement on dissolving the agency for handling solid waste in the county.
    It hasn’t come without a lot of back and forth, however, in part due to $300,000 the county will be paid for relinquishing their ownership of solid waste agency property and equipment.
    If the final agreement to terminate the SW Nebraska Solid Waste Agency (SWA) is signed by city and county officials, the city will take over the solid waste operation.
    In recent weeks, the two groups negotiated several points.
    The contract, as is now worded, has a minimum initial term of 10 years, and gives the county first right of refusal to buy the property at the south edge of Imperial where the transfer station sits, if the city elects to no longer operate solid waste services.
    Any future sale of the property had been a sticking point, but clarification found the commissioners weren’t as concerned if the city had an offer to buy only the recycling center property.
    The commissioners are more interested in the transfer station property, and having first chance to buy it.
    The recycling center operates in a different location from the transfer station—just off Highway 6, west of the Harchelroad Motors building.
    City officials were also concerned about their ability to cease solid waste operation if it proves to be too expensive years from now.
    Based on financials, the solid waste agency has operated at a loss in recent years. Some of that was made up in the last year and a half after a September 2019 Imperial hailstorm sent a lot of heavy, damaged shingles to the C & D site, for which there is a charge.
    City council members and City Attorney Josh Wendell felt confident the contract now allows the city to terminate the operation if it deems necessary, with proper notice to the county.
    “It now gives us latitude to get out if we close the down on the entire (solid waste) operation,” Wendell said.
    There were some other minor changes suggested to clean up wording in sections of the contract. In addition, one item on the list of equipment doesn’t exist and will be removed.
    All residents of Chase County will pay the same transfer station rates for the use of solid waste services if the city takes over.
    Currently, there is no charge to dump trees or concrete at the transfer station. Use of the recycling center is also free.
    Wendell said he would make the changes this week for council review prior to a council retreat on Monday.
    At their Feb. 8 retreat, the contract could be signed, allowing the commissioners to have it before them the next day at their regular meeting.

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