Commission keeps solid waste and stormwater assessments flat after securing grant funding; resident urges service review

The Coral Springs City Commission on Monday approved resolutions to keep the solid waste assessment at the current rate and defer a planned stormwater increase after staff obtained outside funding. Both measures passed unanimously after public hearings. Staff told the commission the solid waste assessment will remain at $434 for calendar year 2026; the package of services includes twice-weekly green-cart collection, weekly recycling collection, weekly bulk pickup and access to a city transfer station and composting returns. "This rate compared to the other municipalities does not match the same service," staff said, noting Coral Springs provides more frequent service than some neighbors. The solid waste item drew a public comment from resident Joe Marrera, who thanked staff for reducing the previously proposed $20 increase and asked the city to study whether modifying service levels (for example, less frequent bulk pickup) could lower long-term costs. Vice Mayor Metair Bowen clarified for the record that the city currently provides weekly bulk pickup, not twice-weekly as the commenter suggested. On stormwater, staff said a $400,000 state appropriation will let the city hold the stormwater ERU assessment flat at $144.87 for the coming year; resolution No. 2025-043 adopting that approach passed unanimously. The actions followed staff presentations comparing Coral Springs assessments and services with other Broward County municipalities and highlighting grant and appropriations support that allowed the city to avoid the increases previously proposed in early drafts of the budget.