$23M shortfall in Buffalo's solid-waste fund spurs debate over recycling frequency and fees

Auditors flagged a growing receivable in the city's solid-waste account and the comptroller and deputy controller told the finance committee the fund owed the general fund approximately $23,000,000 as of last June. "The solid waste account owes the general fund account $23,000,000," Deputy Controller Delano Dowell said during the management-letter discussion.

Council members pressed administration officials about earlier fee increases that were intended to make the fund self-sustaining but still left a $4 million deficit in the most recent fiscal period. Several council members raised the possibility of switching recycling collection to every other week as a cost-saving measure. Administration officials warned such operational changes are complex and could shift costs and behaviors, and they said they are reviewing collection maps and vendor performance with the city's recycling partner, Modern Disposal.

"We're evaluating everything," Nate Martin, Commissioner of Public Works, said, describing map reassignments, truck productivity reviews and other operational steps to improve efficiency. Council members said any move to alternate-week recycling should include providing additional recycling totes to residents in high-use areas to avoid overflow and added costs on the nonrecyclables side.

The committee also discussed audit recommendations to accelerate use of American Rescue Plan funds and to hire a management analyst to improve invoicing and collections. Council members asked how the proposed new position would be budgeted and whether it had been funded.