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Environmental Services proposes 11% environmental fee and 20% solid‑waste rate increases to restore fund solvency
Summary
Environmental Services proposed an 11% increase to the Environmental Protection Fund and a 20% across‑the‑board increase to solid waste rates as part of a multi‑year plan to close structural gaps, fund street sweeping and prepare for landfill closure costs; staff outlined phased permit increases for consumer health.
Environmental Services told Fort Worth council members June 16 that it needs to raise several user fees to restore fund balance and support operations and capital needs.
Cody Wittenberg presented three departmental funds — the Environmental Protection Fund, the consumer‑health portion of the general fund, and the solid waste fund — and recommended an 11% increase for the Environmental Protection Fund to add crews and street sweepers and to build PAYGO capital. He said the environmental fund holds about $25,000,000 in reserves and noted there had been no increase on that fund for roughly 28 years prior to recent adjustments.
On consumer health, staff described the effects of Senate Bill 1008 on restaurant permit billing and proposed a second year of a two‑year phase‑in for hotel, motel and pool permits and a new two‑year tiered approach for childcare permit fees tied to state licensing capacity. Cody said consumer health revenue was roughly $4.7 million against about $4.9 million in expenses for FY27 estimates.
For the solid waste fund, staff outlined long‑term obligations tied to the Southeast Landfill (post‑closure and long‑range solutions estimated at $200M–$250M) and described new revenues from an RNG project. To close an ongoing structural gap, Environmental Services proposed a 20% across‑the‑board rate increase; example monthly changes given were: 32‑gallon up $2.75 to $16.50, 64‑gallon up $3.90 to $23.40 and 96‑gallon up $5.15 to $30.90. Cody said some landfill revenues (rent, royalty, landfill environmental fee, about $7.5M) could be reserved for future PAYGO costs rather than subsidizing rates.
Council members asked about equity and implementation — whether sweepers would be leased or purchased, how the flat percentage was determined, and whether contract structure (single contractor vs multiple regional providers) should change. Cody said staff would use short‑term contracted crews while new equipment is procured and that the 20% proposal is intended as part of a multi‑year approach to reach full cost recovery within a few years.
No formal action was taken; staff will continue stakeholder outreach and incorporate council feedback in follow‑up briefings.
