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Atoka advances solid-waste fee ordinance on first reading, delays increase until 2027
Summary
The Atoka Board approved the first reading of an ordinance that holds solid-waste rates steady in 2026 and raises cart fees by $1 in 2027, after staff presented fund-balance and shortfall analyses showing option trade-offs.
The Atoka Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Feb. 17 to approve on first consideration an ordinance that keeps municipal solid-waste rates unchanged in 2026 and implements a $1 increase per cart in 2027.
Town administrator Mark (identified in the meeting packet) presented two options: one that would have increased rates $1 in 2026 and another $1 in 2027, and a second, board-directed option that delays the first increase until 2027. Staff said Option 2 — the ordinance before the board — reflects the board’s direction from the prior meeting and was intended to reduce immediate impact on residents.
Municipal finance projections provided at the meeting showed Option 1 producing higher net revenue over the two-year window but leaving a small shortfall in one year; Option 2 yields a larger combined shortfall over two years. The solid-waste fund currently has about $317,000 in cash, with $195,000 scheduled for transfer to the general fund and $50,000 already committed toward a knuckle-boom truck; after those commitments staff estimated a roughly $72,000 remaining balance, sufficient to cover the Option 1 shortfall but insufficient for Option 2 without otherwise reducing service or using other reserves.
Board members asked for clarification about where the $1.95 per account general-fund transfer is applied; staff said that transfer covers administrative and service-related costs the town pays to administer the contract (gas, vehicles, payroll, software and reconciliations), while collection itself is performed by Republic Services. Questions also covered expected can-replacement frequency and the planned knuckle-boom truck purchase, which had $50,000 committed in the budget but may require an additional roughly $20,000.
The board agreed to proceed with the ordinance as presented under Option 2; members voted individually by roll call on the first reading. The second reading and likely effective date were scheduled for March 10. The ordinance will return for the required second consideration before any rate change takes effect.
The board did not adopt final rates at the meeting; the ordinance passed first consideration and will be finalized after the second reading.
