BROOKLAND, AR — (BrooklandNews.com) — Jun. 11, 2026 — The Brookland City Council voted 5-1 at its May 14 meeting to approve a $2 per month rate increase for residential trash service, raising the monthly cost to $18 per household and $16 for senior citizens.
Jim Dedman, owner of Dedman’s Sanitation, requested the increase, telling the council his operating costs have risen over the past couple of years and that he had held off on asking for an increase as long as he was able. Dedman said he does not seek increases annually, instead keeping prices steady for several years even as costs rise.
Mayor Kenneth Jones said the current rates are $16 per household and $14 for senior citizens. The city has about 1,700 water meters, with each household issued a trash can when water service begins, Jones said.
City Attorney Kevin Orr asked Dedman to verify that trash service generates roughly $27,000 per month in gross revenue from Brookland residents, based on 1,700 households at the $16 rate. Dedman confirmed the estimate.
Orr also pressed Dedman on his claim that tipping fees at Legacy Landfill had recently increased. Orr, who also serves as attorney for Legacy Landfill, said there has been no increase in tipping fees.
Asked to explain the operating expenses behind his request, Dedman said the number of pickup days per week has grown over the years as households have continued to increase, along with rising costs for labor, equipment, fuel and other expenses tied to the city’s growth.
Dedman confirmed he has requested and received rate increases in other cities he services when questioned by Orr.
When Jones asked whether the $2 increase would include regular pickup of large items and extra trash left at the curb, Dedman said that service would cost an additional $1 per month, bringing totals to $19 per household and $17 for senior citizens.
The city has explored alternatives before, back in October 2024, MARCK Recycling and Waste came before the council with a proposed contract of $17.95 per household each month, but the council opted to remain with Dedman’s Sanitation. At the time, Jones noted that switching to MARCK would have required the city to add a surcharge of $1 to $3 for bill collection services, compared to the 5% Dedman’s charges the city for distributing and handling. Even with the newly approved increase, Dedman’s $18 base rate remains slightly above MARCK’s 2024 proposal before any billing surcharge.
Jones said the city would seek comparative service providers to ensure residents are receiving competitive rates.
Council member Jason Cooper made the motion to approve the increase, seconded by David Gambill. The motion passed 5-1, with council member Wilson Shipman casting the lone vote against. Shipman had earlier questioned whether the growth in new households within the city could generate additional revenue for Dedman without a rate increase.
Council members Lachelle Sipes and Pamela McGee also questioned Dedman during the discussion, asking about total per-household costs and the number of cans currently in use in the city.