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Board backs drop-off center fee changes, approves credit-card payments and stepped increases
Summary
City staff presented options to narrow a structural deficit at the drop-off center; the board approved staff recommendations to raise certain fees, begin accepting credit cards on April 1, 2026, and monitor impacts on bulky-item usage.
The Board of Public Works voted to adopt staff-recommended price adjustments for the city drop-off center to address a multi-year operating deficit and to begin accepting credit-card payments on April 1, 2026.
Emma, the city staff lead on solid-waste services, told the board the current disposal contract includes a 3% annual escalation and that the drop-off center last increased prices in January 2025. She described two proposed packages: a modest increase that narrows the projected year-end deficit (projected to reduce the shortfall to about $53,000 under the presented option) and a revenue-neutral option that would close the gap by 2028 with staged increases. Emma said the first proposed option would raise a sedan fee from $8 to $10 and increase the largest U-Haul fee from $35 to $75, among other adjustments, and recommended rolling other smaller increases into future years if needed.
Board members asked whether the largest U-Haul fee drives the deficit; Emma said the city sees only a small number of extra-large U-Haul users (about 10 last year) and that the larger jump aligns the city with neighboring municipalities’ pricing. Members also pressed on potential unintended consequences, such as increased illegal dumping on terraces, and suggested stronger outreach and communication—particularly to landlords—so property owners understand new bulky-item procedures and potential billing consequences.
The board made and seconded a motion to proceed with staff's recommendations as presented, with direction to track heavy/bulky-item usage (boats, pianos, hot tubs, etc.) and to revisit specific high-cost items in a future recommendation if needed. The motion passed.
What happens next: the fee changes are planned to take effect April 1, 2026, and staff will implement credit-card acceptance that same day and continue outreach to residents and landlords about bulky-item rules and alternatives.
