Introduction of an Ordinance Amending the Pasco County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 90, Article ll, Solid Waste Collection and Disposal, Division 2, Sections 90-47, 90-48, 90-64 – Relating to Rates for Collection Service – No Funding Required

16:34Okay, so now we are on my second two. R fifty. Introduction and reference of proposed ordinance

16:50Justin Ressler, Solid Waste Director, good morning, Madam Chair and members of the board. R50 is an introduction of an ordinance amending the Pasco County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 90, Article 2, Solid Waste Collection and Disposal, Division 2, Sections 90-47, 90-48, 90-64, related to relates for collection service. Next slide, please. So presently in Pasco County, residential waste collection is managed through an open market system where citizens or HOAs contract director with private waste

17:20haulers. And right now the the rates are set via board resolution and the last amendment to that resolution was in 2019. And since that time, we've seen the global pandemic, we've seen a number of supply chain issues that bear the need to re examine this methodology. And so what we did is we took feedback from our our waste haulers and we looked at what others in the state are doing and we found that the majority of Florida counties do not employ a fixed price ceiling for residential waste collection. Right? There are some provisions in there for cost escalation. And so the proposed amendment to this ordinance would

17:51introduce that. Next slide, please. So what we're introducing today is language that would set a res remove the residential rate ceiling and replace it with a provision that would index that with a CPI for garbage and trash collection. Um and so for what it For the period from twenty twenty to twenty twenty two, since there was a last change, that would allow a two-year look back, which would equate to an eight point six percent increase um should the haulers want to do that. Um and then for subsequent years it it would be indexed to the CPI, right?

18:21So you would not be allowed to raise rates no more than the CPI. Um this would not have any impact on existing HOA contracts. Um With the private haulers right now. Those prices would remain fixed until the end of the term, unless those contracts have provisions for price escalation. With that, the department recommends to accept the proposed amendment to the Pasco County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 90, Article 2, entitled Solid Waste Collection and Disposal, Sections 90-47. ninety dash forty eight and ninety- sixty

18:51four and direct the Salt Waste Department to advertise the proposed revisions for the public hearing before the Board of County Commissioners on June seventh, uh, twenty twenty two at the historic Pasco County Courthouse, Borderroom Two, second floor, Dade City at one thirty PM or as soon thereafter as may be heard. Does the board have any questions?

19:08Uh. Commissioner Mariano?

19:10Yeah, Justin, uh I appreciate the rising prices of fuel while they want an increase, but the uh look a two year look back at eight point six percent seemed to be a little bit strong to get started on. Um anyway we do like a one year look back and then go from there because let's face it, when if if something's happened and prices come back down, it's not gonna roll back too quick either.

19:32If that's something the board wants to look at, uh we we can certainly bring that forward. I would say this is the CPI for garbage and trash collection. It's not the the total CPI, so the factors are a little bit different. But again, if that's the direction the board the board wants to go, we can certainly present that.

19:49Um any other comments on that? When you go to one year, or do you want to keep it at

19:53two? Unf unfortunately we're seeing it in fleet management. We have people in fire rescue here as well, Sheriff's Office, fuel costs are up, cost of doing business is is going up. But fortunately for all this, listen, I mean I I have the same I've had the same law maintenance person since She's traveled with me to my new home since two thousand and two or two thousand and one. First time he's had to raise his rates. I didn't botch I mean I I can't fault 'em for it. The guy has to make a living. Yeah. You know, so I mean I'm I'm just being

20:24honest, I'm fine with it as as proposed by by uh staff.

20:27Yeah, I was as well. Commissioner Oakley, keep it at two. Keep uh of staff's recommendation. Yes. Okay. Sec is there a second? All right. Any more discussion? Okay. All in favor? Aye. Opposed?