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North Portsolid-waste leaders seek rate increases while transfer-station plan remains unfunded
Summary
Solid Waste staff requested a 10% rate increase to keep pace with growth and equipment needs and reported the transfer-station referendum failed; staff said a transfer station would reduce long-haul tipping and vehicle wear but must be funded through pay-as-you-go or alternate financing.
City of North Port solid-waste managers told commissioners June 17 they are requesting a 10% residential rate increase and 10% commercial increase for FY26 to cover operational growth driven by population increases, equipment needs and route capacity constraints.
Frank Lomasawi, solid-waste manager, said routes are adding roughly 40 houses per week — about 1,700 added this year — and that one route typically serves about 800 households before changes are needed. He told commissioners that without a transfer station the department must continue taking loads to the Sarasota County landfill, which increases fuel, tipping and wear on vehicles and creates operational inefficiencies.
Commissioners and staff reviewed options. Solid Waste staff said the city is saving funds where possible and pursuing grants; they also plan a pay-as-you-go model for any transfer-station project if traditional borrowing is not available. Workshop discussion noted a failed referendum on a transfer station in a prior cycle and the possibility of alternative financing such as lease-purchase or public'1private partnerships.
The commission asked staff to include a methodology study in the coming budget year and to explore efficiencies and potential service-level adjustments; staff did not propose specific cuts at the workshop. No formal vote was taken; commissioners asked for follow-up analysis on the transfer station economics and on the rate-study methodology.
