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Commission presses county on interlocal solid-waste terms as disposal rates rise
Summary
City attorney and commissioners raised concerns about a proposed interlocal solid-waste agreement that would allow county disposal-fee increases without a cap if landfill capacity falls; commissioners stressed the need for price certainty, a composting exception, and a shorter contract term than the proposed 20 years.
City Attorney briefed the commission on a third-amended interlocal agreement under discussion with Miami-Dade County that would alter disposal fees and contract terms for municipal solid waste. The draft would permit disposal-fee increases above CPI if landfill capacity becomes constrained, and staff said the language includes no hard cap or automatic termination mechanism.
"They proposed sort of a last minute increase in our disposal rates above the CPI... that increase had no cap and no notice," the city attorney said. Commissioners pressed staff about implications for composting exceptions and the proposed 20-year term (the city historically negotiated 10-year terms). Several commissioners said they were organizing with other contract cities to seek clarifying revisions and to press for a measurable cap or termination language. The manager said staff will continue negotiations and report back to the commission ahead of the county’s December consideration.
Separately the commission approved the city's FY25–26 purchase of disposal services from the county (tipping-fee authority) as part of routine fiscal approvals; staff cautioned that non-contract disposal rates would be materially higher if the interlocal is not finalized.
