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Council hears Waste Pro's proposal for temporary fuel surcharge; decision deferred to May 7
Summary
Waste Pro has asked to add a temporary fuel surcharge to residential sanitation bills because of higher diesel costs. After negotiations the company trimmed its request from 15% to 10% (estimated at about $2 per month per customer); council asked for contract basis, triggers, and a sunset and deferred action to May 7 so the company can present details.
City staff told council that Waste Pro requested authority to add a fuel surcharge to residential sanitation invoices to cover higher diesel and landfill fuel‑related charges. The company initially proposed a 15% surcharge and, after discussion with staff, reduced the request to 10%.
"They decided to reduce that to 10%," the staff presenter said, noting state diesel excise-tax relief had recently lowered pump prices and that the vendor sought a pass-through for extraordinary fuel increases. City counsel advised the council that the contract allows for rate adjustments due to extraordinary fuel increases but requires vendor notification and council review; "approval shall not be unreasonably withheld," the attorney said.
Council members asked how long a surcharge would last, whether a formula (for example, a CPI or state-average fuel trigger) could govern adjustments, how the city would require reduction when fuel costs fall, and whether the company would present supporting financial data. Staff estimated a 10% surcharge would amount to roughly $2 per month per customer; council asked Waste Pro to return May 7 with a formal plan and supporting documentation.
No vote was taken April 16. Council members discussed possible conditions: a defined sunset or scheduled review date (suggestions included 90 days or an Oct. 1 review), a trigger tied to a fuel-price index, and explicit reduction mechanisms when costs decline.
