The Solid Waste Authority board unanimously authorized staff to execute an agreement with Waste Management to temporarily incorporate Service Area 5 — identified on staff materials as the Glades area — into Service Area 2 for fiscal year 2026.

Staff told the board Waste Management, the current hauler for Service Area 2, agreed to provide service to Service Area 5 customers at Service Area 2 rates for the year while the authority prepares a new bid. Waste Management will be paid using the rates in its current contract; the authority will make a one-time lump-sum payment from the Service Area 5 collection reserve to cover the difference. Staff specified the reserve payment amount at $190,345.20 and reported Waste Management had already executed the agreement; staff sought the board’s authorization for the administrator to execute it on the authority’s behalf.

Mayor Marino moved to approve execution; Commissioner Weiss seconded and the motion carried 7-0.

Why it matters: the temporary realignment reduces bills for Service Area 5 residents by applying lower Service Area 2 rates for FY26 and uses reserves to make the hauler whole for the rate differential. The change is explicitly temporary while staff conducts the competitive procurement for future franchise collection contracts.

Supporting details: staff characterized the action as a rate reduction for Glades residents, funded by an upfront lump-sum from the Service Area 5 reserve. The board approved resolution 2025-O5 to authorize the realignment and temporary continuity of rates; the resolution was approved 7-0 in the meeting.