Prosper approves 5% solid-waste rate increase; $35 optional second hazardous-waste pickup added

The Prosper Town Council approved Amendment No. 3 to the town’s solid-waste services contract with Republic Services, authorizing a 5% rate increase effective Feb. 1, 2026 and adding an optional second household hazardous-waste pickup for a $35 per-request fee.

"The September 2025 CPI from garbage and trash collection was 5.4%. But, of course, the contract allows for a maximum of 5%," the solid-waste staff member explained when presenting the amendment, noting the contract limits annual increases to 5% and caps increases at 15% over any four-year period.

The amendment preserves the town’s existing administrative fees and a $2 per-month cart-financing fee; staff proposed that the optional second hazardous-waste pickup be offered at $35 and billed to the resident's monthly account. Staff said tracking would be on a Feb.1–Jan.31 service year: each account may receive one free pickup and one paid pickup ($35) per service year.

Council members asked about current utilization. The presenter said Prosper has 14,228 residential customers; household hazardous-waste pickups numbered 287 in 2024 and 351 year-to-date in 2025, an approximately 23% increase. Staff recommended a public-education effort to increase awareness that one free pickup is included in the base service.

Council voted to approve the contract amendment and the optional-fee pickup model. Staff will implement the rate change on Feb. 1, 2026, and continue outreach about existing services.

Next steps: staff will update billing systems to reflect the amendment, start public education on household hazardous-waste pickup availability, and report back if usage materially changes fund balances.