KINGMAN – The City of Kingman is set to hold a public hearing on December 17, 2024, to consider adjustments to solid waste service rates for both residential and commercial customers. This follows the City Council’s adoption of a Notice of Intent on October 15, 2024, to address rising operational and capital costs. If approved, the new rates will take effect with the February 2025 billing, resulting in a 5.7% increase for most customers. If approved, the residential customer rate would increase by $1.16 per month.
The City’s solid waste system operates as a self-sustaining entity, funded entirely by ratepayers. To ensure adequate revenue to cover ongoing operational and maintenance costs, the system undergoes an annual financial review. The latest review highlighted notable increases since FY22 largely due to an aging fleet. Some of the heavy trucks operated by the city are nearing 29 years old and accumulating up to 364,000 miles. The cost of new trucks has risen by 45%, from $321,000 per unit in FY22 to $470,000 per unit projected for FY25, with further increases expected.
The last rate adjustment occurred in FY22, when the City Council implemented a 10-year replacement program for the solid waste system’s fleet. Delaying action could result in larger, more abrupt hikes in the future. By addressing these financial challenges now, the City aims to introduce smaller, gradual rate adjustments that minimize the impact on customers.
The public hearing will be held at 5:00 p.m. on December 17, 2024, in the Council Chambers at 310 N. 4th Street, Kingman, Arizona.
