Staff recommends that the City Council conduct a public hearing and approve the proposed resolution adopting collection, disposal, and landfill fees effective July 1, 2022.

Section 21-229 of the Billings, Montana City Code (BMCC) requires that the City Council adopt the Solid Waste collection and disposal charges and landfill fees annually by resolution. The existing solid waste rates and fees are not adequate for the operation and maintenance and capital investment necessary to continue providing service at the current level. The proposed rate and fee adjustments include the following:

• 5.3% increase in residential and commercial collections;
• 6.3% increase in dropbox/roll-off collection rates;
• 6.8% increase in landfill fees;
• A decrease in the monthly carry-out fee from double the residential monthly collection fee to be equal the residential fee for customers that have a medical necessity;
• A change in the bulky item pickup rate from $27 per pickup to $50 for the first 5 items, $100 for 6-10 items, and $150 for more than 10 items;
• Eliminating the 6% surcharge on outside of Montana landfill fees and incorporating the 6% into the outside of Montana landfill fee;

The attached resolution specifies the proposed rates and fees for FY23. A public hearing is required and if the proposed resolution is approved, rates will be effective July 1, 2022.

City Council may:

• Approve the recommended resolution; or,
• Not approve the resolution. If Council does not approve the resolution, the amended resolution to establish Solid Waste fees for FY23 will need to be considered at a future City Council meeting.

The proposed rate and fee adjustments will generate approximately $540,000 in residential and commercial collection revenues, $80,000 in roll-off revenues, and $430,000 in landfill revenues for a total increase to the solid waste fund of $1,050,000 for FY23.