City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 126,
ARTICLE VI OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF
MOUNT VERNON ESTABLISHING UPDATED
SEWER RENTS AND REFUSE SUSTAINABILITY FEES
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon enacted legislation on February 9, 2022, establishing a Refuse Sustainability Fee under Chapter 126, Article VI of the City Code to support sanitation system operations, infrastructure, and compliance; and
Whereas, the Refuse Sustainability Fee was designed to provide a dedicated revenue source to stabilize critical sanitation and sewer functions, address chronic underfunding, replace an aging fleet, and meet rising disposal and regulatory compliance costs; and
Whereas, the City continues to face significant and ongoing increases in disposal costs, equipment parts, fuel, and landfill/export costs, as well as inflationary pressures affecting operations and recycling contracts; and
Whereas, the Department of Public Works and Sewer Bureau are additionally required to meet federal and state regulatory mandates, including United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) compliance obligations at the Canal Street Facility; and
Whereas, the frequency and volume of waste generated by both residential and commercial properties have continued to rise, further increasing operational demands on the sanitation workforce, equipment, and disposal systems; and
Whereas, in order to maintain high-quality service levels, ensure worker safety, and sustain long-term environmental compliance efforts, adjustments to the City's refuse sustainability fees are necessary; and
Whereas, the updated fee structure proposed herein remains aligned with regional standards while ensuring that the revenue necessary to provide uninterrupted essential sanitation operations is responsibly secured; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that the proposed amendments are in...
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