SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve a purchase order to Pinellas County Solid Waste for the disposal of solid waste at the Pinellas County waste-to-energy plant/landfill in the not-to-exceed amount of $6,000,000.00 for the period October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, pursuant to Clearwater Code of Ordinances, Section 2.563 (1) (a), Single Source, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
Body
SUMMARY:
Pinellas County Solid Waste (PCSW) operates the only waste-to-energy plant and landfill in the county. All putrescible solid waste collected by the city is taken to this facility. During the most recently completed fiscal year (FY25) the City of Clearwater Solid Waste department took approximately 93,000 tons of solid waste to PCSW.
Effective 10/1/26, the tipping fee for PCSW will be raised to $63.57 per ton up from $58.86 per ton in FY26. This represents a rate increase of 8.0%. Additionally, the tire fee will increase from $180.00 to $210.00 per ton. This represents a rate increase of 16.7%.
Pinellas County Solid Waste has been dealing with an issue with their Waste-to Energy Plant’s turbines and has requested Clearwater Solid Waste divert its waste to other landfill locations. Beginning October 1, Clearwater Solid Waste is now coordinating temporary transport to the Heart of Florida Landfill until their plant’s projected return to full operation in December 2026, with estimated savings of $3.56 per ton through September 30 and $8.57 per ton beginning October 1.
On May 5, 2026, Pinellas County Solid Waste notified Clearwater Solid Waste that their Waste-to-Energy Plant’s turbines were out of service for repairs and requested Clearwater Solid Waste divert its waste to Manatee County from June 8 through July 20. This resulted in savings of approximately $139,143.00.
Starting October 1, 2026, Clearwater Solid Waste is coordinating with Pinellas County Solid Waste to have Clearwater waste temporarily diverted to Heart of Florida Landfill through December 2026 when turbine repairs are projected to be complete. Clearwater Solid Waste is estimated to save $8.57 per ton for waste diverted to this alternative location.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are included in the requested FY 2026/27 Operating Budget of the Solid Waste Fund. The expenditure allocation is as follows:
4242082-543500, Dump Fees
4242083-543500, Dump Fees
4242089-543500, Dump Fees
Operating and capital expenses of the Solid Waste Department are funded by revenues from the Solid Waste and Recycling Utility Enterprise Fund.
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
This item falls under objective 4.2 (Adopt renewable resource usage and waste reduction practices to ensure a vibrant City for current and future generations.) under Environmental Stewardship.
