Commission approves first reading to shift commercial solid-waste franchise fee from volume to revenue basis

The West Palm Beach City Commission approved at first public hearing an ordinance amending Chapter 74, Article 5 of the Code of Ordinances to change commercial solid-waste collection franchise fees from a volume-based calculation to a revenue-based franchise fee.

The meeting summary lists the ordinance as approved after its first public hearing; it does not include the ordinance number, specific rate structure, projected fiscal impact, or a recorded vote tally.

City staff described the change as converting the franchise fee calculation method; the summary did not list implementation dates, transitional provisions for existing franchisees, or whether the change requires supplementary administrative rules.

The transcript excerpt did not record public comment on the item or other stakeholders’ remarks. The administration will likely publish the full ordinance text and fiscal analysis on the city website for public review, according to the meeting materials reference to wpb.org.

Because this was a first public hearing, the ordinance remains subject to subsequent readings and final adoption before the revenue-based fee takes effect.