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ITEM: RESOLUTION NO. R2025-37 (PRELIMINARY TRIM RATES FOR WELLINGTON SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND RECYCLING ASSESSMENT)
A RESOLUTION OF WELLINGTON, FLORIDA’S COUNCIL ADOPTING THE PRELIMINARY NON-AD VALOREM ASSESSMENT RATES FOR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION AND RECYCLING SERVICE FOR TRUTH-IN-MILLAGE (“TRIM”) PURPOSES WITHIN THE JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES OF WELLINGTON; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
REQUEST: Approval of Resolution No. R2025-37 setting the preliminary FY 2025-2026 TRIM rates for Solid Waste Collection and Recycling proposed at $320/unit for curbside services and $235/unit for containerized service.
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EXPLANATION: The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County requests the preliminary Truth-in-Millage (TRIM) rates for Solid Waste Collection and Recycling in June to facilitate their processing.
The Wellington Solid Waste Collection and Recycling assessment rates are proposed to increase for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 based on the FY 2026 preliminary budget reflecting rising operating costs due to economic impacts and the projected contract cost adjustment. The Wellington Solid Waste Collection & Recycling non-ad valorem assessment rates have been proposed at the amount required to fully cover operating costs and restore fund balance in the Solid Waste Fund. The contract for solid waste collection allows an annual increase corresponding to the CPI for Water, Sewer & Trash Collection (WST) with a maximum contract increase of 5%. The WST indicator was at 4.88% for March 2026, and 5% is budgeted for the total FY 2026 contract increase to include payments for accounts added during the fiscal year. Additionally, trash bins are the responsibility of the Village and an additional budgeted expense.
For FY 2026, the annual residential collection rates required to fully fund the higher expenditures and restore fund balance are $320 per curbside unit and $235 per containerized unit. This represents increases of $10 and $5 per year, respectively.
The preliminary TRIM collection and recycling rates fund the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 preliminary Solid Waste budget shown in attached Exhibit A. The preliminary budget totals $8.14 million, up $600,000 or 8% from the FY 2024-2025 adopted Solid Waste budget, and is balanced at the preliminary rates while rebuilding fund balances. The revenues generated by the preliminary rates are projected to increase the FY 2026 fund balance by $548,000. Wellington Solid Waste currently services over 22,700 curbside accounts and 1,950 containerized accounts.
Resolution No. R2025-37 specifies the preliminary FY 2026 collection and recycling rates to be included on the annual TRIM notice for all properties served by Wellington Solid Waste. The preliminary rates of $320/unit for curbside service and $235/unit for containerized service represent increases of 3% in curbside, and 2% in containerized services. The final assessment rates and budget will be adopted following the required public hearing in August. The Council may adopt final rates at or below the preliminary TRIM rates, and the final adopted budget may differ from the preliminary budget in Exhibit A.
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: NO
PUBLIC HEARING: NO QUASI-JUDICIAL:
FIRST READING: SECOND READING:
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: YES
FISCAL IMPACT: The proposed rates will fully fund the preliminary Solid Waste budget for FY 2025-2026 and increase fund balance that has been depleted over previous years. Budgeted assessment revenue for FY 2026 is based on approximately 22,700 curbside units and 1,950 containerized units, with a 5% allowance for discounts.
WELLINGTON FUNDAMENTAL: Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of Resolution No. R2025-37 setting the preliminary FY 2025-2026 assessments for Wellington Solid Waste at $320.00 per unit for curbside service and $235 per unit for containerized service.