TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: A Resolution of the City Commission of the City of North Port, Florida, as the Governing Body of the North Port Solid Waste District, Establishing Not-to-Exceed Non-Ad Valorem Assessment Rates for the North Port Solid Waste District for Fiscal Year 2026-2027; Incorporating Recitals; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Resolution No. 2026-R-24 as presented.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Resolution No. 2026-R-24 as presented.
• Pros: Ensures financial sustainability. The rate increase will help maintain the financial health of the Solid Waste District by generating sufficient revenue to support ongoing service operations and capital improvement projects. This aligns with the findings of professional rate study and addresses current and anticipated infrastructure needs as the City continues to grow.
• Cons: Raising assessment rates, even incrementally, may pose financial strain on residents and property owners, particularly those on fixed or limited incomes.
Option 2: Deny Resolution No. 2026-R-24 as presented.
• Pros: No change to the current financial impact of the Solid Waste District Assessment on property owners.
• Cons: Funding shortfall for critical capital improvements and operational needs. Without the additional revenue requested, the District may lack sufficient funds to properly provide solid waste services. Without the adequate equipment, vehicles, and staff, this would lead to service degradation and level of service changes. Delaying increases now may result in the need for larger assessment increases in future years to maintain the level of service expected by City residents, which could be more difficult for locals to absorb.
Background Information
The Fiscal Year 2026-2027 proposed budget for the North Port Solid Waste District proposes changes to the current Non-Ad Valorem Assessment rates. The City of North Port will provide this information to citizens through the Sarasota County TRIM (Truth in Millage) Notice of Proposed Property Taxes and notification to newly assessed parcels will be mailed directly.
The current Solid Waste District Non-Ad Valorem Assessment rate for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 is $332.75 for each residential unit. The North Port Solid Waste District is requesting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Solid Waste District Non-Ad Valorem Assessment rate be established and confirmed at $460.76 for each existing/developed residential unit and $150.49 for each future/vacant residential density unit.
An increase in the Solid Waste assessment is required to align revenue with increasing operational and capital costs to continue meeting current level of service standards outlined by the Solid Waste District.
Resolution No. 2026-R-24 further provides the option to increase assessment rates up to a not-to-exceed rate of 38.47% per year to allow the Solid Waste District to react to future unforeseen circumstances without having to update the methodology; send first-class mail notices; publish in newspapers; and/or conduct special hearings.
Resolution No. 2026-R-24 has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
Resolution No. 2026-R-24 was provided to the City Clerk’s Office on May 28, 2026, for signature subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Good Governance
Financial Impact
The North Port Solid Waste District Not-to-Exceed Non-Ad Valorem Assessment rates will result in an anticipated gross revenue of $25,302,372.00 to account 120-0000-343.40-20. Of the $25,302,372.00, the anticipated revenue from the one-time assessment is $9,508,502.00.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. February 24, 2026 Solid Waste District Meeting Notes
3. Approved Solid Waste Methodology
Prepared by: Garrett Woods, CPWP-M, Senior Business Manager
Department Director: Chuck Speake, Public Works Director