Deltona officials seek community input on Waste Pro service options and rate increase

The City Commission of Deltona held a budget workshop on May 3, 2025, where key discussions centered around waste management services and potential rate increases. Commissioners expressed a desire to explore community preferences regarding waste collection options before implementing any changes.

One commissioner emphasized the importance of gathering input from residents, stating, "I would like to hear from the community as to what they would like to have." This sentiment reflects a broader concern about the implications of a rate increase for waste services, particularly in light of comparisons with neighboring cities like Palm Coast, where residents pay significantly higher rates due to their waste being transported to a landfill further away.

The discussion highlighted the operational changes that Waste Pro, the city's waste management provider, has undergone over the years. Commissioners noted that while Waste Pro has consistently provided competitive rates and reliable service, any additional requests for service enhancements could lead to increased costs for residents. One commissioner pointed out, "The more we request from them, the higher they're gonna charge us."

The workshop concluded with a commitment to explore various options for waste collection, including the possibility of reducing service frequency to a single pickup per week. This approach aims to balance community needs with budgetary constraints, as commissioners acknowledged that they had not received significant feedback from residents advocating for more frequent garbage collection.

As the city moves forward, the commission plans to compile these options and engage with the community to ensure that any decisions made reflect the preferences and needs of Deltona residents.