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Environmental services outlines sewer and solid-waste budgets; landfill tipping-fee increases proposed
Summary
Environmental Services reported enterprise fund revenues (sewer ~$190M) and operating costs, described a debt service peak from SSO program, and said commercial landfill tipping fees will rise on a proposal to be introduced to council; residential solid‑waste fees are being held this cycle using fund balance.
Adam, speaking for Environmental Services, explained the department’s 2026 enterprise‑fund budgets for sewer and solid waste and noted that stormwater compliance remains a small general‑fund line item.
He said total sewer revenue is projected at just over $190 million (including nearly $123 million in sewer user fees and about $61 million from a 0.05 sales tax dedicated to the sewer fund). Operating costs were listed at just under $73 million, with debt service for the SSO program expected to be about $83 million in 2026 and to peak in the 2031–2032 range.
On solid waste, Adam said the landfill disposal fund mainly relies on tipping fees; the administration plans to introduce a change to commercial tipping fees on the upcoming agenda. He explained the landfill contract with the operator is tonnage‑based and that the city is setting aside funds for eventual post‑closure costs.
On residential curbside collection Adam said the current monthly user fee is $35.23 while the actual cost to deliver collection is about $38 per month because contracts include annual escalation clauses; the department plans to hold the residential fee for this cycle by drawing on fund balance but acknowledged a fee change will be required when the five‑year cycle resets.
Adam also briefed council on stormwater compliance (a $3.5 million general‑fund program) and on investments for pipe repairs and inlet work in 2026.
