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Puyallup council approves first reading to shift solid-waste billing timing
Summary
Council approved first reading of an ordinance to change residential solid-waste billing so bills reflect the previous month and the current month rather than billing two months in advance; staff said the change is not a rate change and is intended to reduce upfront bills for new customers.
The City of Puyallup voted to adopt first reading of an ordinance altering the timing of residential solid-waste bills. Performance Management Analyst Talika Macaria told the council the change would align bills with delivered service: rather than billing two months in advance, residents would receive bills for the prior and current month. Macaria said the proposal does not change service rates but reduces large upfront charges for new accounts.
Macaria said the proposed change emerged during renewal talks with Maris Disposal Company (the current contractor) and that neighboring jurisdictions use the post-service billing approach. The city's packet noted the billing cadence currently presents challenges for new customers who may start service mid-cycle and face larger initial bills. The contractor's regional manager said municipalities that moved to the new approach accepted a temporary cash-flow gap and still supported the change as a customer-service improvement.
Council members discussed cash-flow impacts for the contractor and the customer benefits; one councilmember moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading and the motion passed by voice vote. The matter will return for a second reading at the Jan. 27 meeting where the finalized contract with Maris Disposal Company is expected to be presented.
