Solid waste authority raises tipping fees; Silver City staff plan phased sanitation rate proposals

Finance staff told the council that external service costs are rising sharply and that the Southwest Solid Waste Authority has increased tipping fees significantly, prompting staff to plan a phased approach to any sanitation rate increase.

Randy Hernandez said the Southwest Solid Waste Authority’s fees have increased by "100 percent" and the regional dispatch authority raised rates by about "40%," creating additional operating costs the town must absorb or pass through. Staff said they had not yet incorporated the full 100% tipping increase into the printed FY27 numbers but planned to prepare a modified final budget that at minimum incorporates a CPI adjustment (about 4.6%) and then propose any sanitation-rate changes in August for possible implementation Sept. 1.

Council members asked staff to clarify where landfill/tipping revenues and expenditures appear in the packet. Staff explained the budget splits projected revenues (universal waste pickup projected at $2,100,000 and landfill/tipping revenues at $900,000) and separate expenditures. Staff said they will aim to phase increases to avoid a single steep rate shock to residents and will return with recommended timing and amounts.

No formal rate change was adopted at the special meeting; staff committed to return with proposals and a schedule.