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Solid Waste manager outlines path to sustainability: proposed 4% fee increase, tipping-fee adjustments and contract challenges
Summary
Solid Waste General Manager Cindy Castellucio said the division now serves about 92,000 households, reduced a multi-year fund deficit from roughly $17 million to negative $2.6 million, and recommended a 4% solid-waste fee increase (about $15.98/year) plus C&D tipping-fee adjustments to help bring the fund to positive balance amid rising collection costs and soon-to-expire contracts.
Cindy Castellucio, general manager of Solid Waste, told the council on May 5 that the division provides curbside service for roughly 92,000 households, operates a C&D landfill that just marked 50 years, two drop-off centers and a recycling site, and is preparing for several pressures in FY27: expiring collection contracts, rising collection and disposal costs and ongoing landfill needs.
Castellucio said a recent procurement for Area 1 collection brought in a new contractor and increased the collections budget by about $1.6 million; she said the division has reduced a cumulative fund deficit from over $17 million to about negative $2.6 million over the past five years and expects to reach a positive fund balance in FY27 based on recommended changes and revenue adjustments.
To sustain operations and cover contract and processing cost increases, staff proposed three principal measures: request full allowable millage adjustments for the landfill fund, a 4% increase in solid-waste fees (which staff estimate would amount to about $15.98 per year, or approximately $1.33 per month, for basic curbside service), and adjustments to tipping fees (including raising C&D from roughly $28.88 to $34 and revising tire and contaminated-load fees to better reflect processing costs and discourage out-of-county dumping).
Castellucio also said staff will seek a future work session on long-term options to make the service sustainable and affordable and noted potential land-acquisition and drop-site timing risks that could affect the fund.
Ending: Council set a follow-up budget meeting for Thursday to complete remaining utility sections; Solid Waste staff asked council to consider the fee and tipping adjustments as measures to preserve service levels and long-term fund health.
