City raised garbage bills for homes, rentals, and shops after the trash fund ran the wrong way
ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. — The City Commission on Aug. 3 moved household garbage bills from $335 a year toward a $375 cap and raised commercial and rental schedules about 12 percent after staff said the trash fund is running in the red.
The residential charge is a non-ad valorem assessment, not the property-tax rate.
Staff said even $375 next year does not cover costs. Reserves have been drawn down for three years, to about $450,000 to $500,000. A roughly $150,000 truck is in the following budget. Recycling is about seven tons a week against 50 to 60 tons of regular trash.
In 2013 the same kind of household waste fee was $74. On Aug. 3, Public Works recited the climb — $74, then $115, then $315, now $335 — on the way to $375.
Sources
- City Commission Meeting, August 3, 2026 livestream (YouTube) Solid-waste item: residential 335 to 375, about 12% commercial/rental, fund in the red even at 375, reserves about 450–500 thousand, ~$150,000 truck, seven tons recycling vs 50–60 tons trash, $74 / $115 / $315 climb, non-ad valorem assessment.
- City Commission Meeting, August 3, 2026 agenda packet (PDF) Agenda lists Resolution 26-06 to increase residential collection, disposal, and recycling fees.
- Budget/millage ordinance, September 23, 2013 (PDF) Household waste non-ad valorem assessment of $74 in 2013.
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