The Pasco County Commission has approved a June 7 public hearing on a proposal to lift the ceiling on charges for residential solid waste collection and disposal.
Under the change, the proposed residential rates would be allowed to be increased based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for garbage and trash collection.
According to material in the board’s agenda packet: “The last adjustment to this rate ceiling was in June of 2019. Since that time, market forces have significantly impacted waste collection costs.
“Both the global pandemic and recent geopolitical events have resulted in increased labor rates, delays in supply chain, and higher fuel costs.
“To ensure the financial viability of residential waste collection in Pasco County there is a need to revise the county’s residential collection rate structure.
“Feedback from waste haulers has indicated that the ability to adjust rates annually will result in higher market confidence and increased competition. The majority of Florida counties do not employ a fixed price ceiling for residential waste collection and instead the price of residential collection is either bid as a component of the franchise process, or the haulers operate as an open market.”
Pasco’s staff recommended allowing a two-year lookback, which would result in a maximum increase of 8.6%.
After that, increases would be annually based on no more than the CPI for garbage and trash collection.
Board member Jack Mariano thought the 8.6% was too steep and asked if the lookback could be for just one year.
But that idea did not find support on the board.
Commissioners Mike Moore and Ron Oakley said the cost of doing business has gone up.
The item will come back to the board on June 7 for a public hearing.
Current multi-year agreements between haulers and HOAs/CDDs will remain in effect and will not be affected, unless the existing agreements have provisions for cost escalation.
When those agreements expire, the CPI for garbage and trash collection will be used as the maximum percentage the rates could increase on annual basis.
Published May 11, 2022
