Boulder City on the verge of trashing its image

Monday, March 5, 2007 | 7:18 a.m.

Boulder City's humongous garbage can is nearly full - and the city hasn't found a second one.

In the 1960s or '70s - nobody is too sure - the city started its 160-acre landfill at the end of Utah Street on the southeast corner of town. About 30 years later the first section is full. Really full. About to overflow.

And this fall it will be unable to collect another pound of the small city's waste.

Many residents say the lack of foresight angers them. They say the city also has not planned for the future on big issues like the opening of the Boulder Dam Bridge. But for now, the problem is the landfill.

"It has to be done," said Councilwoman Andrea Anderson. "It's kind of late to be in a hurry. Obviously it should have been done long ago."

City officials are scrambling. The cost of building a new landfill is about $4.8 million, money the city doesn't have. In 1998 the city instituted a 75-cent monthly tax in preparation for a new site, but so far, the tax has raised less than $800,000.

The city estimates it would have to raise monthly garbage fees of about $7 per resident to cover the difference.

Another problem is that acquiring a permit from the Southern Nevada Health District could take as long as three years.

"This is just another example of not dealing with a pressing issue," said Sherman Rattner, leader of the Coalition to Save the Future of Boulder City and a vocal opponent of city government.

City officials are considering an interim solution. They believe they can stack the trash higher in the existing landfill and buy an additional two years. Also, expanding the landfill could provide another seven years' grace. City officials aren't sure how much an expansion will cost, but it will certainly be cheaper than building an entirely new landfill, said Councilman Mike Pacini, who is running for mayor.