Tony (Solid Waste staff) told the council that the city will tighten the criteria for its vacancy billing suspension program after a review found administrative costs and program abuses.

Tony said the existing program — which lets property owners request suspension of solid‑waste billing for as few as four months and up to 12 months — has drifted from its original verification standards in the 1990s into an honor‑based system with limited checks. He said about 155 accounts, roughly 0.8% of the city's approximately 19,800 solid‑waste accounts, were currently enrolled.

Tony said the city spends about $80 in administrative labor to turn an account off and on and that the program results in roughly $10,000 per year in administrative costs plus about $34,000 per year in lost revenue to the enterprise fund.

He described a recent instance of apparent misuse: a property owner claimed vacancy while an upstairs apartment remained occupied and receiving subscription recycling service; the tenant called city staff to report missing carts while the owner's account remained off.

Why it matters

The vacancy suspension shifts service costs to other ratepayers when billing is suspended but the city still incurs collection and administrative work. Tightening eligibility is intended to reduce lost revenue and administrative burden.

Proposed changes

Tony said the city will immediately limit eligibility to properties that meet one of these conditions: registration under Chapter 17 vacancy rules with payment of the $300 annual registration fee; properties with an active demolition permit from the building division; new construction properties not yet occupied; and vacant properties owned by the city or the Housing Redevelopment Authority. Applicants will be required to submit proof of the qualifying condition to the Treasury Department when applying.

Tony said, “We're updating the solid waste collection and billing suspension program to limit the eligibility to properties that are truly vacant and registered under the Chapter 17 vacancy…they will be required to submit proof of the above conditions when applying for that.”

Staff said the change will go into effect immediately; the roughly 155 currently suspended accounts will be notified and given the new guidelines when their vacancy period lapses.

Ending

Council members asked clarifying questions about program timing and typical users (the staff noted many are seasonal "snowbirds"). Tony said the enforcement and verification steps (including possible quarterly checks) add significant staff time and cost.