BEATRICE – As construction of a new landfill continues southwest of the city, the Beatrice Area Solid Waste Agency has approved a landfill rate increase that will add a dollar to the monthly garbage bill of local residents. Beatrice City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer says the new rates will help pay off bonds issued for the $13.1 million project.


"We're looking about five dollars per ton is what we're proposing here for a rate increase. These will be effective March 31st. Other increases that are in there....rolloff containers will go up one dollar per cubic yard. C-and-D (Constructioin and Demolition waste) will go up two dollars a cubic yard. Brush remains the same except for commercial haulers. Asbestos, we are proposing an increase of two dollars per cubic yard."


Adjustments also apply to communities outside the city that use the landfill. The last time landfill rates were adjusted was in 2022.


Beatrice elected officials have approved two more payments for work that continues on a new landfill, southwest of the city. The payments to Genesis Contracting Group and Pruss Excavation total slightly less than $175,000.


Also Monday night, officials approved authorizing Beatrice Municipal Airport revenue bonds of up to $700,000…for improvements at the facility. The issue is expected to add about one-cent to the city’s property tax rate. Interest rates on the bonds are projected to range between 3.8 and 4.25 percent.


After several years, there will be a new starting time for city council meetings, beginning in April. An ordinance has been amended changing the seven p.m. start time to 6 p.m. Regular council meetings are held the first and third Mondays of each month.