Solid-waste contract drives fund balance decline; council told tax increase may be needed in 2027

Maplewood staff told the City Council on May 7 that the city—s new solid-waste contract is reducing the solid-waste fund balance and that the administration expects to ask voters for a tax increase in 2027 unless alternate funding decisions change.

The presenter said the contract includes a 6% escalation factor and runs through 2029. "That's something discussed quite a bit recently," the staff member said, adding that because fund balance is declining the city's recommendation is to go to voters in 2027 for a tax increase unless the city pursues a facilities improvement bond or other offsetting actions.

Council members asked whether residents are typically amenable to tax increases for services; staff responded that well-framed requests tied to clear service benefits usually fare better with voters. The presenter said the last increase was in 2014.

Staff also confirmed the city discontinued its composting pilot because of low participation and limited cost-effectiveness; they said they may seek a new grant and relaunch in the future. The presenter noted other solid-waste adjustments: grease dumpsters and glass recycling remain in use; glass recycling was described as separate from general curbside collection.

No formal tax measure was proposed or scheduled at the work session; the comment was presented as a staff recommendation tied to multi-year fund-balance projections and capital priorities.