Hagen to Call Special Meeting of Council

Council and Mayor Will Discuss Solutions and Hear Privatization Presentation

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The solid waste disposal issues are not over in Superior.

Mayor Bruce Hagen, announced Wednesday, he will be calling a special meeting of the City Council to discuss potential solutions to the city’s solid waste disposal issues.

The Council voted down a $9.75  per household fee  proposed by the Mayor on Tuesday night.

Mayor Hagen said, during a press conference Wednesday, without the fee or implementing some other plan (such as privatization) the city will begin running a deficit.

Hagen said if a solution is not found Superior would be forced cover costs from the general fund, which would pull money from other services such as police, fire, and public works. 

Councilors voted down the fee 6-4, Tuesday evening, in part because of a belief it would be difficult  for low and fixed income residents to afford the fee. 

The offering trash collection services and operating the landfill currently costs Superior around $6.3 million annually.

That number makes the landfill the second most expensive City service.

Only the police department uses more money, with a yearly cost around $6.5 million.

Hagen and his advisers believe establishing the $9.75 fee would keep the city’s landfill and solid waste services viable until 2022.

Officials estimate the Superior landfill will be capped in 2022 when the newest dump cell is full.

With costs rising every year, the city does not plan to open another cell. 

The current cell opened last year at a cost of around $8 million. 

Hagen says in addition to the cost of opening a new cell, the Wisconsin DNR charged Superior an additional $1.3 million in tip (dumping) fees.

According to Hagen, the city has three options, privatize the trash services, establish the $9.75 fee, or find some sort of compromise on services. 

Councilors will hear a presentation on privatization through Waste Management and discuss possible solutions during the special session called by the Mayor.

The exact date and time of the session is currently unknown; Mayor Hagen’s office will be polling the councilors to find a time when they are all available.