Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Rates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council advances rate change to make solid-waste and recycling services self-sustaining
Summary
Marsha told council that MetroWaste’s increased costs require the city to incorporate full solid-waste and recycling service costs into resident rates; council advanced Ordinance 811 in the first reading with one abstention recorded.
At a public hearing on March 24, city staff explained proposed changes to Grimes’ code that would incorporate the full cost of solid-waste and recycling services into resident rates, citing a rate increase from MetroWaste that takes effect in July.
Marsha told the council that prior practice had subsidized part of solid-waste services from the general fund; the fiscal-year 2027 budget proposed in the hearing incorporates the full proprietary cost. During her presentation she read per-cart and monthly amounts and said the combined monthly increase for the fiscal-year change was put into the record. After hearing no public testimony on the item, the council moved Ordinance 811 to first consideration. Council Member Earl recorded an abstention during the roll call.
Council members praised MetroWaste’s contract management and negotiation while acknowledging that moving to a rate-funded proprietary model reduces the city’s subsidy burden and makes the solid-waste fund self-sustaining. The matter will return for subsequent ordinance readings and final adoption; final rate amounts and the ordinance language will be published with the next reading.
