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Canton council approves one-quarter 10% Waste Pro fuel surcharge after debate; one councilmember dissents
Summary
Council approved Waste Pro’s request to apply a 10% fuel-surcharge pass-through for July–September 2026 after discussing alternatives (flat fee vs. percentage), contract language and monitoring; the motion passed with one recorded nay (Mr. Waterman).
After a lengthy discussion on contract mechanics and rate structure, the Canton City Council on June 18 approved Waste Pro’s request to apply a 10% fuel-surcharge pass-through on residential sanitation bills for the July–September 2026 quarter.
City staff framed the request as a temporary, quarterly pass-through tied to extraordinary diesel-price increases; Waste Pro confirmed the proposed surcharge equals 10% and that the company would return to council quarterly if it sought an extension. "I do not work for Waste Pro," staff said while summarizing Waste Pro’s request and answers to council questions about triggers, disclosures and comparable municipal practices.
Council members debated whether a percentage or a flat forward-looking fee would be fairer for budget planning and whether the surcharge properly reflected operating costs or could contribute to vendor profits. One councilmember pressed for a flat fee or a trued-up approach over a longer term; others argued that a one-quarter percentage with required quarterly return preserves council oversight. The council also reviewed contract language that allows extraordinary fuel-cost adjustments and noted the company’s website disclosure about how fuel surcharges are applied.
A motion to approve a 10% fuel-surcharge for the July–September 2026 billing quarter passed after a roll-call-style announcement of the outcome; the meeting transcript records one nay vote by Councilmember Waterman and the motion carried. Council required Waste Pro to return with updates before any further quarter-to-quarter continuation.
What happens next: Waste Pro will apply the 10% surcharge for the July–September billing cycle and is expected to report to council before requesting a further extension. Councilmembers said they will continue to monitor fuel prices and the contractual impact on customers.
Vote and procedural notes: the council approved the surcharge as a temporary, quarterly pass-through; council discussion included alternative options (flat fee/forward-looking approach) and the council expressed interest in detailed benchmarking and transparency from Waste Pro if the surcharge recurs.
