Facing shortfall, Miami-Dade hikes garbage rate 27%

Miami-Dade County commissioners voted to stop kicking the garbage can down the road Tuesday, opting to raise trash collection fees more than 27%, to a level that would pay the actual cost of services.

The ordinance now goes before Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who offered two options to commissioners: Shuffle the money from other funds, or raise fees a little less than 21%, or $9.50 a month, which would not cover the total cost of services.

The fees cover unincorporated areas. Most residents of cities pay for municipal garbage services instead.

Multiple commissioners echoed the “kicking the can down the road” trope, a message frequently voiced by commission members on multiple issues over the multiple meetings.

Commissioners Raquel Regalado and Juan Carlos Bermudez expressed concerns about the county’s solid waste management system, citing financial challenges.

Commissioner Eileen Higgins asserted the necessity of maintaining two garbage pickups a week, and that to do less would raise a literal “stink” in neighborhood streets or residents’ garages.

“We’re going to be talking about picking up people’s garbage only once a week,” Ms. Higgins said, “or maybe once every two weeks, if we continue. And we cannot allow that.”

Chaiman Oliver G. Gilbert III proposed raising the increase to $150, instead of the mayor’s $114, which would increase residents’ monthly cost by $12.50.

Commissioners debated the impact of repeated deficits on the county’s creditworthiness when applying for $1.5 billion in bonds to build a waste-to-energy facility, and the need for a long-term plan to address the waste management fee structure and solid waste budget.

“We talk about moving the waste-to-energy site,” Chairman Gilbert asserted, but “we can’t contemplate that with a system that is financially as infirm as this one.”

The robbing Peter to pay Paul message was raised by several hand-wringing commissioners. Mayor Levine Cava’s first option was to move $40 million from the county’s disposal fund to its collection fund to cover the increase.

“What if Peter’s broke, too?” Commissioner Bermudez quipped.

In addition to raising the annual cost per resident of unincorporated areas by $150, Mr. Gilbert also suggested that mayor include annual rate adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index in future budget proposals. The adjustments would require commission approval.

Commissioners agreed to the necessity of a comprehensive, long-term master plan for solid waste management, including collection, disposal, recycling, and other initiatives.