BOCC Doubles Proposed Trash Tax Rate for Monroe County Residents
At this month’s BOCC meeting County staff proposed a tentative increase of the non ad valorem tax for residential solid waste collection, distribution and recycling rate for the fiscal year 2024-2025 of 10%, or $45.71, for a total cost of $502.86 per household. This was the amount the staff felt was appropriate for the increase in costs for Waste Management.
Waste Management’s Greg Sullivan requested an increase to $568.97, or just under a 25% increase. BOCC members, at Commissioner Jim Scholl’s suggestion, approved a possible increase of 20%, or $548.58, DOUBLE than what staff recommended. This is just another example of the BOCC playing fast and loose with your money. The 20% increase for the TRIM (Truth in Millage) notice will give the staff as well as Waste Management who made a record profit of $2.6 BILLION last year, less incentive to negotiate a good deal.
“...at Commissioner Jim Scholl’s suggestion, (the BOCC) approved a possible increase of 20%, or $548.58, DOUBLE than what staff recommended. This is just another example of the BOCC playing fast and loose with your money. ”
The 20% increase COULD be negotiated lower between County staff and Waste Management, however, that has only happened once in the last 20 years. There was discussion of going to one day a week pick up in unincorporated areas of Monroe County as well as larger trash cans to help reduce the number of pick ups necessary, but these are all only possibilities. If this increase sticks, the tax will be passed to property owners, and ultimately to renters, making the cost of living even less affordable.
If the County staff felt the proposal of increase was sufficient for additional needs of Waste Management and fair to residents of Monroe County, then that is what should have been approved and negotiations should have started there, not doubling the amount proposed in the original agenda. THIS is why I’m running for County Commissioner. It is too easy for the BOCC to spend resident’s hard earned money without a thought as to how this will affect those barely able to make ends meet.
To speak with me directly on this issue, email me at chris@chrisformonroe.com or call me at 305-394-1108. To make a donation to my campaign go to https://www.chrisformonroe.com/donate or click the button below.
