Miami could increase trash collection fees for the first time in 14 years. Here’s why

Tess Riski
·2 min read

The city of Miami is considering increasing its annual trash collection fee for the first time in 14 years to address a $20 million deficit in its garbage services department.

On Thursday the Miami City Commission voted to increase the cap on garbage fees to $440 — a $60 increase from the current rate of $380. The fee will remain unchanged at $380 for now. But Thursday’s vote to increase the cap gives the City Commission the option to increase the garbage fee as high as $440 when it votes on the city government’s next budget in September.

The potential 15.8% increase would be the first time the city has raised the fee since 2010, when it went up $15 from $365. The fee has increased less than $150 since the start of the century, when it was $234.

Miami’s annual trash fee hasn’t gone up since 2010. Since 2000, it’s increased by less than $150.
Miami’s annual trash fee hasn’t gone up since 2010. Since 2000, it’s increased by less than $150.

Any possible increase would help the Solid Waste Department pay for itself. The gap between the cost of the city’s trash pickup services and what households pay for those services is about about $20 million, which Commissioner Joe Carollo said was significant.

“If we raised it even a dollar or $50 or $60, we’re still going to have a huge deficit,” Carollo said of the fee.

The city uses tax dollars from its general fund to make up the difference, according to City Manager Art Noriega’s administration.

In order to break even, the city would need to eventually raise the annual household fee to $797, according to Solid Waste Director Wade Sanders. A city analysis showed that, if Miami continues to incrementally increase the rate until it reaches $797, the Solid Waste Department could be in the black by 2037.

City commissioners expressed concern over the possible rate hike, saying it could put a financial strain on residents, especially those living on a fixed income.

“Even a dollar increase would be too much for many of our seniors,” said Commissioner Christine King.

Commissioner Manolo Reyes, who was the only one to vote against raising the cap, said the city needs to conduct a “complete, thorough analysis” of other options for increasing revenue, and that raising the cap now is “opening the door for an increase” to the actual fee in the future.

“Many people believe Miami is a glamorous place where everyone is rich and driving a Maserati,” Reyes told the Herald. “That’s not the reality in Miami.”

Commissioner Manolo Reyes speaks during a City Commission meeting on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Miami City Hall.
Commissioner Manolo Reyes speaks during a City Commission meeting on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at Miami City Hall.

He suggested privatizing the city’s recycling service, which he said could save $2 million to $3 million a year.

Commissioners also floated the idea of scaling back the city’s recycling pickup, which happens twice a month, and its weekly bulky trash collection.

Miami’s trash pickup rate is among the cheapest in the county, according to city officials. Residents in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, in comparison, pay $547 a year. The county increased the rate by 7.5% in September.