Council directs staff to develop sanitation-rate changes to subsidize curbside composting

City staff and consultant Skumatz Economic Research Associates presented data on Longmont’s curbside composting program: roughly 28% participation, about 2,500 tons/year from residential curbside collection, and higher processing costs (about $150/ton) than landfill disposal (~$30/ton). Staff described two paths: maintain full cost recovery (current approach) or subsidize composting via the solid-waste charge to increase participation while accepting potential higher contamination and operational costs.

Councilors debated whether subsidizing would change behavior or primarily lower bills for current participants. Council member Marcin questioned whether six months of data sufficed to detect behavioral change; staff said participation remained around 28% despite a recent rate increase. Council member Popkin moved — and the council directed staff — to craft a new ordinance for 2027–28 sanitation rates that would subsidize curbside composting, fund that subsidy by widening price differentials across trash-volume tiers, and add pricing for two compost-bin sizes; the motion carried 5–2 with Marcin and Prieto opposed.