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Effective July 1, tipping fees at the Alcoa/Maryville/Blount County Public Landfill will increase from $32 to $38 a ton.

A second increase from $38 to $42 dollars a ton is planned for July 1, 2010.

The fee increase is to make up for the shortage this budget year and for construction of a new $5.7 million cell. Equipment costs have also increased.

"Last year we had to dip into the fund balance to make the budget work," said Kenny Wiggins, director of public works for Alcoa, which manages the landfill. "This year there will be a larger need due to the upcoming cell construction in the 2010 budget year."

The cell, which is a new area for garbage disposal, is expected give the landfill another 12 to 14 years, he said. At the same time the city is seeking approval for a couple more cells that would extend the life even longer.

Currently in use or formerly used are 150 acres of the 250-acre landfill tract on Long Powers Road just off Big Springs Road. There is a large buffer around the perimeter of the landfill to isolate it from adjacent properties.

Wiggins said the impact per household in Alcoa is expected to be 41 additional cents per household per month with the 2009 increase, and the increase will rise to a total of 69 cents per household with the July 2010 increase.

The fee per ton will "still be within the ballpark of our neighbors," Wiggins said.

Currently the fee per ton for Chestnut Ridge (Anderson and Knox counties) is $45, Loudon County is $28.15, and Monroe County is $45.69.

The average of all the neighboring operations is $40.23 with the minimum being $28.15 and the maximum being $55.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation collects a $1.25 per ton surcharge tax on all waste disposed of in a Class I landfill.

The city of Maryville is the biggest hauler, Alcoa is second, then come private haulers and last are the "mom and pop" cash customers, Wiggins said.

Construction of the new cell will involve installing a synthetic liner. The liner helps control leachate (liquid from decomposed garbage and rainwater). That water is collected in pipes that underlie the garbage on top of compacted clay and is disposed of in the sanitary sewer system.

Cost of the new cell is projected at $5,750,000.

Eighteen people work full-time at the landfill, including Solid Waste Manager Sam Holloway and Assistant Solid Waste Manager Kelly Hembree.