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Lee County advances solid‑waste rate plan but delays code change that would end annual hearings
Summary
The board approved solid‑waste system assessment rates for FY 2027–2030 with a 5% annual cap but declined, for now, to amend county code to eliminate the need for an annual public hearing, citing transparency concerns.
Lee County commissioners on May 19 approved new solid‑waste system assessment rates for fiscal years 2027 through 2030 that include an 8% increase in fiscal 2027 (to bring the system to full cost recovery) and establish a maximum annual increase capped at 5% for 2028–2030. The rates were presented by Rebecca Rodriguez (speaker 14) of Solid Waste.
The presentation also proposed amending the Lee County Code to remove the requirement for an annual public‑hearing certification of the tax assessment rule (part C of the motion). Several commissioners, including speaker 9, said they preferred retaining the annual public hearing for transparency and public oversight. The board adopted a motion to approve the rate schedule (parts A and B) but removed part C from the action, meaning staff will not move forward now with the code change that would eliminate the annual hearing.
Rebecca Rodriguez told commissioners the haulers have contractual annual increases that the board would continue to review; staff also said the ordinance change would be returned later if approved by the board. Commissioners noted the four‑year plan provides predictability and that the fund is back to parity after prior shortfalls.
Next steps: staff will proceed with the adopted rate schedule and return if and when any ordinance amendments are proposed for adoption.
