Council and residents spar over proposed every-other-week recycling change and fees

Solid Waste Director William Gallegos defended a move in the FY27 proposal to shift curbside recycling to an every-other-week schedule, saying low set-out rates and high per-trip costs make weekly pickup inefficient and increase emissions and wear on equipment.

"On average we saw routes where only 45% to 65% of households set out recycling carts, which forces a truck to run largely empty and increases fuel, tire wear and emissions," Director Gallegos said, explaining that optimization to every-other-week pickup is intended to reduce the carbon footprint while keeping the residential fee at $18 per month (an enterprise fund rate).

Several councilors and public speakers pushed back forcefully, saying the change will signal that recycling is optional and will encourage trashing of recyclable materials. "If you want to lower your carbon footprint, you want to maximize recycling," Councilor Fiebelkorn said, arguing that weekly curbside recycling and targeted trash reductions would better meet sustainability goals.

Administration staff said commercial-rate modest increases and a proposal to raise out-of-city convenience-center tipping fees are designed to close gaps and pay for necessary facility upkeep; officials also said the citys enterprise structure already subsidizes many services and that the current residential fee undercharges the true cost of services.

Councilors requested more granular outreach and contamination-mitigation efforts and asked Solid Waste to return with data tying any rate changes to measurable service improvements. Director Gallegos said the department conducts extensive education work (school outreach, social media campaigns and a "recycle coach" initiative) and that weekly collection of underused routes is counterproductive.

The question of recycling frequency remains unresolved pending further council deliberation and potential amendments at the next budget meeting.