The City of Powell signed a four-year contract with Park County to begin shipping municipal solid waste to the county’s landfill near Cody. This will bring to a close an era that began in 2014, when Powell contracted with Billings. 

In order to accommodate a contractual requirement to give 30-days notice to Billings, Powell’s garbage won’t officially head to Cody until August. 

The county will charge $65 per ton, which is higher than Billings’ rate of about $44 per ton. However, with rising fuel costs and the rate expected to increase, Powell began talks with the county earlier this year. 

The contract with the county allows for two 2-year extensions, and Powell can withdraw from the agreement at any time with 90-days notice. 

In 2014, Powell and Park County were unable to come to an agreement on the fees. The county offered a fee of $72 per ton, whereas Billings was asking about $26. Even with transport costs, Powell was saving money shipping waste to Billings. 

At the time, the council’s decision to go with Billings stuck other municipalities using the Park County Landfill with higher rates, which are set based on the total annual volume it receives. Without Powell’s participation, the county had to charge other users a higher fee. 

After talks were initiated this year, the county offered the $65 rate based on continuing participation from Meeteetse and Cody. Solid waste from county residents who are served by Two Tough Guys Services LLC and Keele Sanitation LLC will also go to the county landfill at the $65 per ton rate. 

In June, the Powell City Council voted to increase garbage rates to customers in Powell, with residential rates going from $31.10 to $36 per month. They also included a fuel surcharge, which is based on fuel rates over $3 per gallon.