Solid‑waste officials propose $2.25 monthly rate increase to keep collection program balanced

Solid Waste staff presented the enterprise’s 2026 budget and recommended a $2.25 per month increase for standard residential collection, citing higher contract costs, landfill fees and operating expenses.

Solid Waste managers said the utility serves about 66,000 homes and operates an equipment fleet of side‑load and front‑load trucks. The department has not raised rates since 2022 and staff said a combination of inflation in disposal and recycling contracts, timing of revenue from a negotiated Metro Waste Authority (MWA) agreement, and increased maintenance costs for aging vehicles prompted the recommendation for a $2.25 monthly bump to keep the enterprise fund balanced.

Staff also described operational changes under consideration, including a vehicle‑acquisition model that would shorten ownership cycles and reduce maintenance costs by selling vehicles after an established period, and the conversion of some one‑time capital purchases into more predictable annual allocation to smooth future spending. Managers said the parking and yard‑waste programs remain unchanged and noted a heavier reliance on curbside recycling markets that have been volatile.

Council members asked for historic comparative rates across metro governments and for a longer‑term schedule to avoid lumpy, large increases. Staff said they will provide a multi‑year comparative table and a plan for more frequent, smaller adjustments rather than occasional larger ones.

Ending: Staff recommended the $2.25 monthly increase to take effect in FY2026 and said they will return with market comparisons and a proposal to move toward steadier, scheduled annual adjustments for enterprise fees.