Environmental Services outlines enterprise budgets; tipping fees and landfill life discussed

Adam, representing Environmental Services, explained that the division includes sewer, solid waste and stormwater compliance and that sewer and solid waste operate as enterprise funds funded by user fees and a 0.05 sales tax. He said total sewer revenue is a little over $190,000,000, with sewer user fees at almost $123,000,000 and the 0.05 sales tax generating just under $61,000,000.

Adam said the operating budget for sewer is just under $73,000,000 for 2026, but the larger fiscal issue is debt service tied to the SSO (Sanitary Sewer Overflow) program: approximately $83,000,000 in debt service is planned for next year, with the debt service peaking in the 2031–2032 range. He said the department is budgeting for electricity cost increases and higher chemical costs at wastewater treatment plants.

On solid waste, Adam said disposal (the landfill) relies on tipping fees and that the department will introduce a proposal at the December meeting (to be introduced tomorrow) to increase commercial and out‑of‑parish tipping fees. He said contracts with operators are tonnage‑based (Waste Management) and that landfill closure/post‑closure costs are being funded annually; the current active landfill has an estimated remaining life of about 20 years. Adam said recycling costs are being subsidized by landfill funds in the near term but that user fees for residential collection ($35.23 currently) are below the actual cost of service (roughly $38/month), and a fee update is likely when the five‑year cycle for residential rates is reviewed.

Adam also confirmed the out‑of‑service River Road treatment plant is being demolished under contract; he said on inspection the site showed a small amount of hydraulic oil, building asbestos and lead paint but was not considered a hazardous site from a regulatory standpoint.