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ITEM: RESOLUTION NO. R2026-24 (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. R2026-24 setting the preliminary FY 2026-2027 TRIM rates for Solid Waste Collection and Recycling proposed at $325/unit for curbside services and $240/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 2026-2027 based on the FY 2027 preliminary budget reflecting rising operating costs due to 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 costs of operation and retain 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 4.74% for March 2026, and a contract increase of 4.75% is budgeted for the FY 2027 contract plus payments for accounts added during the fiscal year. Additionally, trash bins are the responsibility of the Village and a budgeted expense, as are asset replacement and indirect costs.
For FY 2027, the annual residential collection rates required to fully fund the higher expenditures and retain fund balance are $325 per curbside unit and $240 per containerized unit. This represents an increase of $5 per year in each rate.
The preliminary TRIM collection and recycling rates fund the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 preliminary Solid Waste budget shown in attached Exhibit A. The preliminary budget totals $8.08 million, up $260,000 or 3% from the FY 2025-2026 adopted Solid Waste budget, and is balanced at the preliminary rates with an addition of $245,000 to budgetary fund balance. Wellington Solid Waste currently services approximately 22,800 curbside accounts and 1,950 containerized accounts.
Resolution No. R2026-24 specifies the preliminary FY 2027 collection and recycling rates to be included on the annual TRIM notice for all properties served by Wellington Solid Waste. The preliminary rates of $325/unit for curbside service and $240/unit for containerized service represent increases of 2% in both curbside and 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:
FISCAL IMPACT: The proposed rates will fully fund the preliminary Solid Waste budget for FY 2026-2027 and maintain fund balance. Budgeted assessment revenue for FY 2027 is based on approximately 23,000 curbside units and 1,950 containerized units, with a 5% allowance for discounts.
WELLINGTON FUNDAMENTAL: Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of Resolution No. R2026-24 setting the preliminary FY 2026-2027 assessments for Wellington Solid Waste at $325.00 per unit for curbside service and $240.00 per unit annually for containerized service.