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Auburn council postpones vote on proposed solid‑waste rate increase to June
Summary
The council introduced an ordinance to raise solid‑waste (trash/recycling) rates based on a 2023 rate study but voted to postpone final action and a public hearing until the June 3 meeting to give the public time to review details.
The Auburn City Council introduced an ordinance amending Chapter 20, Article 2, Sections 20‑47 and 20‑53 of the city code to increase solid‑waste charges following a 2023 rate study, and postponed final action and the public hearing until its June 3 meeting.
City staff explained the city has not increased solid‑waste rates since 2014. The finance director, identified in the meeting as Alice, described enterprise funds and said solid waste is one of the city’s utilities that should be self‑funding: "We are in it to fully cover the cost of providing that service," Alice said. City staff said the general fund has been subsidizing solid waste in recent years and that a rate adjustment is intended to restore full cost recovery.
Mayor Anders and several councilmembers agreed to postpone. A motion to postpone the ordinance and public hearing until June 3 carried by voice vote; the item was recorded as first reading and will appear on the June 3 agenda with materials for public review. Councilmembers asked staff to publish explanatory materials and a direct link to the packet online; staff said they will prepare public information and noted the proposed implementation date in materials is Oct. 1 but the council may adjust that schedule.
Council members discussed reserve policy for the enterprise fund; one member noted that a three‑month reserve is typical while staff said the proposed fund would contain about a one‑month reserve. Council members also asked about inflation and the effect of not having raised rates for a decade.
Details and timeline: staff said the rate study completed in 2023 produced recommended charges and the staff packet contains those figures. The staff presentation included an estimated residential customer increase of about $8.50 per month (staff phrased the change as "the increase would be $8.5"). The council did not adopt rates on May 6; the public hearing and final vote were postponed to June 3 to allow one month for public review and comment.
Next steps: staff will post explanatory materials and a direct link to the council packet online and will present the ordinance for public hearing and final action on June 3. The council and staff emphasized the change is proposed to move the solid waste enterprise fund toward full cost recovery rather than to create a profit.
