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Committee backs $35 recycling special charge to fund $1.3M equipment upgrade
Summary
To make the recycling center financially independent and fund roughly $1.3 million in equipment upgrades, the committee recommended a $35 annual special charge on improved parcels and forwarded that recommendation for budget consideration.
Polk County committee members voted to recommend a $35 annual special charge on improved parcels to fund recycling center equipment upgrades and reduce reliance on the county levy. County staff said the recycling equipment needs approximately $1.3 million in upgrades and outlined three fee scenarios ($30, $35, $40) with corresponding annual revenues: about $712,980 at $30, $831,810 at $35, and $950,640 at $40, based on 23,766 improved parcels.
County staff argued the special charge would create a dedicated funding stream for recycling operations and capital improvements, freeing $350,000 in levy funds for other county services if the charge is implemented. Staff also said the recycling operation ran a deficit in 2023 and remains levy-dependent for operations and CIP requests; the special charge aims to stabilize operations and eliminate the need for annual CIP requests for recycling equipment.
After discussion about the appropriate fee level, the committee moved, seconded, and adopted a recommendation that the general government committee consider a $35 annual special charge as part of the 2025 budget process.
The recommendation will be forwarded for further review and inclusion in budget deliberations; county staff noted that final budgeting and any ordinance or resolution establishing a special charge would require additional committee and County Board action.
