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Metro Waste hike leaves Perry City with $183,000 gap; council weighs $2 monthly residential garbage increase
Summary
Perry City staff told council that a Metro Waste increase from about $38 to $60 per ton will raise landfill costs and create an approximately $183,000 budget shortfall; staff proposed a $2 monthly residential garbage fee increase (from $19 to $21) to recover about $90,000 and recommended additional revenue measures and spending cuts.
City staff told the Perry City Council at a budget workshop that a Metro Waste increase in landfill shipping fees will substantially raise the city's waste‑disposal costs and produce an immediate shortfall in the FY2027 draft budget.
Staff said Metro Waste notified users that per‑ton shipping fees will rise from about $38 to about $60, pushing the city’s landfill budget from roughly $200,000 to about $295,000 and creating an estimated $183,000 deficit in the draft general fund. Staff supplied annual tonnage figures — about 3,700 residential tons and about 2,200 commercial tons — and outlined how much of the shortfall could be covered by rate changes.
To close the gap, staff proposed raising the residential garbage collection fee by $2 per monthly bill (from $19 to $21), which they estimated would generate roughly $90,000. Commercial customers would face a sliding fee scale to capture additional revenue; staff said those adjustments together could reduce the deficit roughly in half and that the balance would require additional cuts or revenue measures.
Council and staff discussed other options to address the remainder of the shortfall, including:
- Reviewing franchise fees and exemptions (Mid‑Americ, Alliant) and possible adjustments to exemptions now granted to entities such as the hospital and school district. - Exploring a fire‑service fee ordinance to charge for responses (vehicle fires, structure fires, false alarms) pending a review of calls‑for‑service data. - One‑time options such as selling surplus equipment or properties; staff noted recent small receipts from similar sales but warned those funds are limited and often earmarked. - A potential partial buyout of the city’s solar array (estimated $22,000–$24,000 per year) using lease income as a financing source.
Staff cautioned that some revenue options are restricted (for example, insurance‑fund savings are not available to the general fund) and that more analysis and public notice will be required for fee or ordinance changes. No formal policy votes were taken during the workshop; staff will return with refined estimates and a proposed schedule for hearings and potential adoption.
Next steps: staff will refine revenue and expenditure options, run public‑notice timelines for any fee changes, and schedule further council consideration ahead of the budget publication deadline.
