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Council approves phased solid-waste assessment increase after lengthy debate; measure passes 4-3
Summary
After extended discussion and committee amendments, the Rules Committee approved a preliminary solid-waste assessment ordinance that sets a monthly assessment of $27 for 2025 and signals step increases to $29.50 in 2026 and $32 in 2027. Supporters said the phased approach addresses a projected long-term shortfall; opponents
Council Member Carlo Carlucci’s preliminary assessment ordinance for solid-waste services advanced out of the Rules Committee on Feb. 3 after extensive public and committee discussion and two technical amendments. The committee adopted a neighborhoods amendment and a technical Carlucci amendment and then voted 4-3 to approve the ordinance as amended.
The amendment package and the ordinance as amended set the monthly assessment at $27 for calendar year 2025, $29.50 for 2026 and $32 for 2027, subject to annual council approval, and authorizes the city to mail notices and set a public hearing on the final assessment. Auditor staff described the measure as the preliminary assessment ordinance; the annual assessment ordinance will return to council in May for final adoption.
Proponents, including Carlucci and Councilman Mike Miller, said the phased increase balances fairness and fiscal responsibility and will reduce reliance on ad valorem (property tax) dollars to cover the shortfall in the solid-waste program. Supporters noted projections that if no change is made the city’s loan balance for solid waste could grow toward roughly $505 million in about six to seven years and that current annual loan payments are in the range of $40 million and projected to rise.
Opponents said they were not comfortable increasing fees before additional budget cuts or revenue adjustments had been explored. Councilman Mike Gay said he planned to vote no and that he wanted more time to evaluate alternatives. The final committee vote was 4 in favor and 3 opposed; proponents said the measure provides a predictable, phased path that will be finalized at public hearings and in the May ordinance.
Committee staff and auditors clarified process points: this bill is the "preliminary assessment ordinance" that authorizes the mail-out and sets the public hearing; a second ordinance — the annual assessment ordinance — will come back to council (targeted for May) for final adoption. Auditors also said that in prior years council had approved the assessment number directly in the annual budget but that the current approach formalizes the multi-year step.
Motion and vote: the committee recorded the motion to advance the ordinance as amended (mover and seconder not recorded in the transcript for the final motion) and approved it 4-3. The committee set the public process steps (mailing notices, a May hearing for the second ordinance and continued budget oversight) for the coming months.
