SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Amend Appendix A, Clearwater Code of Ordinances, Schedule of Fees, Rates and Charges, Article XXIV, Public Works Fees, Rates and Charges, Section (3)(c) Solid Waste Collection Rates, Section (3)(d) Recycling Rates, and Section (5) Other Miscellaneous Charges; Increase specific collection fees for Solid Waste and Recycling annually by 3.75% effective October 1, 2024, October 1, 2025, October 1, 2026, October 1, 2027, and October 1, 2028; and pass Ordinance 9788-24 on first reading.
Body
SUMMARY:
Earlier this year Stantec Consulting Services Inc. of Tampa, FL performed a rate sufficiency analysis (RSA) on the City’s Solid Waste and Recycling Utility Enterprise Fund. Stantec conducted similar studies during 2019 and 2021.
The objectives for this study included evaluation of the utility’s current rates and identifying a new multi-year plan of increases that provides sufficient revenues to fund operations and maintenance costs, capital improvement costs, adjustments to scenarios evaluated in prior studies related to timing and costs, and to ensure adequate operating reserves over the entire five year planning period (Fiscal Year 2025 - Fiscal Year 2029) and ten year projection period (Fiscal Year 2030 - Fiscal Year 2034). Staff provided historical and budgeted financial information for the utility, assumptions regarding growth, interest earning rates, and policies affecting the utility to Stantec for the study.
Based on Stantec’s study and analysis of rate increase scenarios discussed with staff, it is recommended that fees for Solid Waste and Recycling be increased by 3.75% for the fiscal years 2025 through 2029.
Residential solid waste and recycling rates will increase as follows:
|
Monthly |
Current |
10/1/2024 |
10/1/2025 |
10/1/2026 |
10/1/2027 |
10/1/2028 |
|
Solid Waste |
$34.62 |
$35.92 |
$37.27 |
$38.67 |
$40.12 |
$41.62 |
|
Recycling |
$ 3.51 |
$ 3.64 |
$ 3.78 |
$ 3.92 |
$ 4.07 |
$ 4.22 |
|
Total |
$38.13 |
$39.56 |
$41.05 |
$42.59 |
$44.19 |
$45.84 |
Appendix A of the Code of Ordinances currently contains a listing of various residential, commercial and roll-off collection fees for Solid Waste and Recycling. Therefore, staff is recommending that the Appendix A of the Code of Ordinances be amended to increase rates in accordance with the attached rate study prepared by Stantec.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
This item falls under the following objectives: 1.1 (evidence-based measurement tools) and 1.3 (adopt responsive levels of service for public facilities and amenities) within High Performing Government, and 4.2 (waste reduction practices) within Environmental Stewardship.
