Dade City commission approves first reading of ordinance to raise residential sanitation fee

The Dade City Commission on first reading voted 5-0 to introduce Ordinance 2025-01, which would raise the monthly residential sanitation charge on water bills by $1.55 to cover higher hauler costs and administrative collection expenses.

The ordinance, read by title at the start of the agenda item, amends Section 74-38 of the Dade City Code to change the fee schedule for collection of solid waste, recyclables and landscape waste. Finance Officer David Altman told commissioners the increase aims to correct a shortfall in the sanitation fund and keep that fund from operating in the red.

“They have now advised us that they're charging us $14.51 a month,” Altman said of the hauler, noting the hauler’s charge rose from about $10.70 to $14.51 per month. Altman said the proposed dollar-55 increase is split into two components: 80 cents to cover the hauler charge and 75 cents to cover staff and administrative collection costs, which Altman estimated equals roughly $32,000 a year when spread across about 3,385 residential customers.

During the public hearing Brian Swan, a Dade City resident, asked whether the rise in contracted expenses reflected employee costs. Altman and Swan clarified the figure cited for contracted expenses represents hauler charges, not city employee payroll. Swan also noted that contracted hauler expenses rose substantially since 2015.

Commissioners had no further substantive amendments. After a motion to approve introduction on first reading and a second, the commission took a roll-call vote; Commissioners Kosatini, Church, Shive, Mayor Black and Mayor Pro Tem Witter all voted aye, carrying the motion 5-0.

The ordinance will return for a advertised final public hearing before second reading and adoption.