Phoenix trash fee vote is April 22: city trimmed the increase, but bills could still rise
Phoenix AZ – The City Council votes April 22 on a smaller residential trash fee increase that would start July 1 if approved and could raise bills over three years.
April 22 vote comes before the new rate would start
Phoenix City Council is scheduled to vote April 22 on a revised residential solid-waste fee increase, a decision that would come before any new rate could take effect July 1, 2026.
The city’s latest recommendation is smaller than the earlier proposal that drew public pushback. Under the revised plan, the current monthly residential solid-waste fee of $37.32 would rise by $5 in July 2026, another $5 in July 2027, and $4 in July 2028.
If approved, that would put the monthly charge at $42.32 next year, $47.32 the year after that, and $51.32 in 2028.
Why Phoenix says the increase is needed
According to the City of Phoenix Public Works materials, the solid-waste fund is facing a $20.8 million shortfall. The city also says 86% of solid-waste revenue comes from monthly residential fees, which means those bills do most of the work in funding the system.
The fee supports residential trash collection and related solid-waste operations. City materials say rejecting the increase would force major service reductions, though the documents do not frame that as a broad shutdown of collection. The practical message is that the city says it would have to scale back services if the revenue gap is not covered.
What changed from the earlier proposal
The revised recommendation came after community and council feedback on an earlier, larger request. The city’s public works department initially floated a bigger increase, then reduced the plan before the April vote.
That matters for residents because the updated numbers are the ones Council is being asked to consider now. The earlier, larger figure is part of the background, but it is not the current recommendation.
Discounts, assistance, and green organics changes
The city says some households may qualify for a smaller-bin discount, which lowers the bill for residents using less service. Phoenix also lists financial assistance options for eligible customers, which could help limit the impact for lower-income households.
The city page also includes green organics fee changes tied to the solid-waste update. For households that use those services, the details matter because the total monthly bill may reflect more than the base trash rate alone.
For residents, the main takeaway is simple: the vote is not just about one fee line. It could affect the monthly cost of curbside service over three years, and the final amount may vary depending on bin size and assistance eligibility.
What to watch next
If Council approves the proposal, the first increase would begin July 1, 2026. If it rejects the plan, Phoenix says it would have to revisit service levels and funding options to deal with the shortfall.
Either way, the April 22 vote will decide whether the city moves forward with a slower, smaller rate increase or goes back to the drawing board on how to pay for solid-waste service.
Sources
- City of Phoenix proposed solid waste rate adjustment page
- Phoenix City Council formal meeting calendar entry for April 22, 2026
- City of Phoenix public notice for tax and fee changes
- City of Phoenix Public Works announcement on the original solid waste proposal
- KJZZ report on Phoenix garbage fee recommendation
- ABC15 report on Phoenix trash collection cost increase proposal
