Hallandale Beach proposes two‑year sanitation pilot and fee increases, including suspension of curbside recycling

Public Works presented a sanitation recap and a recommended two‑year pilot to stabilize the sanitation enterprise fund, which has not raised rates since 2017 and faces rising tonnage and equipment costs. Interim Director Jeff Town said disposal tonnage costs rose from $48.74/ton in 2017 to $64.90/ton in 2025 and replacement vehicle lease costs have also increased substantially.

Key program proposals include suspending the city’s curbside recycling program (staff would remove recycling cans and contract a vendor to manage collected recyclables), tightening the yard and bulk waste program (residents keep up to 36 cubic yards per year with a per‑pickup limit reduced and a $35 per cubic‑yard charge beyond the annual allowance), and adding small administrative fees such as dumpster delivery/pickup and an automated container setup fee.

Staff proposed a modest initial rate strategy—about a 10% increase in FY26 and another 10% in FY27—rather than a single large increase to avoid rate shock. The package is projected to raise roughly $400,000 and fund new can replacement and program changes in the first year. Town said the sanitation fund was financially solvent but stressed the combination of rising tipping, container and lease costs requires rate adjustments to avoid erosion of the fund balance.

Commissioners asked how the city would communicate service reductions (suspending recycling) and fee changes, how the city will manage special pickups and overfilled dumpsters, and whether tiered service (smaller can for low‑generation households) could be considered later. Staff said they will implement a communication campaign timed with recycling can pickup and billing notices and use software to track yard/bulk entitlements.

Next steps: staff requested commission approval to pilot the program and return with ordinance and billing changes for an October 1 implementation of fee adjustments if approved.