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Brockton ordinance committee tables proposed trash-fee increase after equity and data worries
Summary
The ordinance committee heard from the CFO and DPW on a proposed $20-per-quarter increase to the trash disposal fee to shore up the refuse enterprise fund, but members raised concerns about impacts on fixed‑income residents and asked staff to model alternatives; the committee voted to table the ordinance pending more data.
The Brockton City ordinance committee on Nov. 25 delayed action on an ordinance that would raise the city’s annual trash disposal fee to $440, saying members need more data and targeted options before approving a rate hike.
Dr. Troy Clarkson, the city’s chief financial officer, told the committee the city entered a multi‑year contract with its vendor and that rising disposal and recycling costs have strained the refuse enterprise fund. He said staff will seek a roughly $130,000 appropriation from certified free cash to cover last year’s shortfall and recommended a $20 per quarter increase in the quarterly bill — $80 a year — effective July 1 to keep the fund solvent.
The proposal prompted questions from councilors about who pays for added services and whether the increase should be applied across the board. Patrick Hale, Brockton’s DPW commissioner, said the contract does not change service levels and defended the city’s comparatively broad service package (curbside trash and recycling, yard waste and curbside pickup of certain bulky items). He said other towns often provide fewer services or charge extra for bulky-item pickup.
Several councilors said an across-the-board increase would disproportionately affect fixed-income households and low‑volume users. One councilor urged exploring a menu of options or raising fees for ancillary services such as mattress or white‑goods pickup rather than increasing the standard quarterly charge for all households. Staff noted residents who qualify for Chapter 41C tax relief receive free trash service and estimated that group represents about 5% of the city’s roughly 26,000 accounts.
Councilor Plower questioned the timing of the contract renewal and whether the city committed to years of payments before revenue sources were fully secured. Dr. Clarkson responded that the refuse contract is exempt from Chapter 30B procurement rules, that staff negotiated with multiple vendors to lower the price, and that the enterprise fund is intended to operate as a self‑contained account whose shortfalls would be covered temporarily by the general fund if necessary.
After discussion, Councilor Teixeira moved to table the ordinance so staff can return with comparative town data and revenue models, including the effect of raising ancillary fees. The motion to table was seconded and passed. Staff agreed to provide detailed comparisons and revised revenue scenarios to the incoming ordinance committee in January.
The committee did not take a recorded roll-call vote on the ordinance; the clerk recorded the motion to table as the committee’s action. The item remains open pending staff follow-up and potential free‑cash appropriation.
