HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7727 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7727
1.T14,0 June 1, 1993
�oEF017T�0 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Subject.
CLEAN CITIES 2000 PROJECT: VARIABLE RATE STUDY FOR
RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTIONS
BACKGROUND
Clean Cities 2000 is a component of the Texas Water Commission's Clean Texas 2000 program. One of its
objectives is to promote and encourage the development of comprehensive municipal recycling and
composting programs that will achieve the 40 percent recycling goal of SB 1340 and the Clean Texas 2000
goal of 50 to 60 percent reduction in the disposal of solid waste in landfills by the year 2000.
On November 17, 1992 (M&C C-13619), the City Council authorized contracting with the Texas Water
Commission (TWC) to allow the City of Fort Worth to receive a $500,000 grant to fund Phase I projects
under the Clean Cities 2000 program. On May 11, 1993 (I.R. 7719), the City Council was presented with
information concerning all of the projects that had been developed and approved by the TWC for funding.
PROPOSED STUDY
One element of the City of Fort Worth's Clean Cities 2000 program is a study to determine the feasibility
of implementing a variable rate pricing structure for residential solid waste collections. Currently, all City
of Fort Worth residential customers that receive curbside collection pay $9.80 per month regardless of how
many bags of garbage they place out for collection. Under a variable rate pricing structure, those customers
that place more garbage out for collection and require more service will pay more than those who place less
garbage out for collection and require less service. Not only is such a system more equitable, but it provides
users the opportunity to control their costs by minimizing the amount of wastes they generate and place out
for collection. In those areas where variable rate pricing has been implemented there is greater participation
in recycling, backyard composting, the"Don't Bag It"lawn care program, and other such waste minimization
and source reduction programs.
A Request for Proposals has been developed to engage a consultant who will review existing solid waste
collection practices, set-out patterns, volumes, types of materials and other pertinent data. Current service
levels will be examined to determine the true cost of providing each service. The existing billing system,
rate structure, and cost recovery system will be reviewed to determine the feasibility of establishing a
variable rate system, an appropriate pricing structure, and a method for implementation. A report detailing
the findings and recommendations will be provided to the City Council upon conclusion of the study. Due
to time constraints imposed on the City that are associated with the grant funds, it is planned that a contract
be let in late July, the study be initiated in early August, and the project be concluded with a final report
in December.
Incidentally, legislation has been introduced in both the State House and Senate that would require local
governments to "set rates that reflect the full costs of providing waste management services and are
proportionate to the amount of waste generated". This grant funded study will provide the City Council with
the m1f9v4ation necessary to accomplish that task if it so desires. OFFICIAL REon __
WRO
e�b Terrell CITY SIMARY
City Manager FT. W
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER _Udia: a I I MZF