City Council to vote on landfill, sewer rate increases tonight

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- St. Joseph residents could see a 3% sewer rate increase starting next week if approved by City Councilmembers this evening, one of two rate increases on the agenda.

In addition to Monday's sewer rate proposal, a two-phase plan that would increase by another 3% in mid-2026, Councilmembers will vote on a measure to raise landfill tipping fees from $40 to $50 starting Jan. 1, 2026. Tipping fees would increase again to $60 a ton on Jan. 1, 2027, if it is adopted by council.

The increase comes after tipping fees at the landfill remained mostly unchanged over the last two decades. The rate was set at $30 a ton in 2007, rising to $34 a ton in 2013, before being lowered to $32 a ton in 2018. The current $40 a ton rate was set late last year.

The proposal comes as city officials report successful progress in the construction of landfill cell 8, a critical project that was fast-tracked to ensure enough space remained before the rapidly decreasing cell 7 reached capacity this year.

The situation presented numerous challenges last year that have been reduced significantly due to successful construction efforts, along with a waiver from the Missouri DNR granting additional space in the short term.

Stay with us as we continue to update this story.