Port St. Lucie approves November question on twice-weekly trash pickup
Port St. Lucie voters are scheduled to see a nonbinding question about paying more for a second weekly residential trash pickup day on the Nov. 3, 2026, general-election ballot.
The City Council approved Ordinance 26-59 by unanimous voice vote on July 13, 2026. The straw-ballot question would measure public support for changing the city’s solid-waste franchise agreement, but a favorable result would not by itself amend the contract, set a final assessment or begin twice-weekly service.
What would appear on the ballot
The approved question asks whether Port St. Lucie should increase each household’s solid-waste assessment by at least $131 in 2028, with additional increases expected in later years, to provide twice-weekly residential trash pickup citywide beginning in 2028.
The ballot language excludes bulk trash, recycling and yard waste. The proposed change concerns regular residential curbside trash collection only.
The ballot choices are Yes, supporting the city’s pursuit of a contract amendment for the estimated increase and twice-weekly service, or No, supporting continuation of once-weekly pickup under the current contract. Because the question is nonbinding, neither choice directly changes the contract.
What residents receive now
Port St. Lucie’s franchise agreement with FCC Environmental Services provides residential curbside trash collection once per week. Under the ordinance’s description of the current service, bulk trash, recycling and yard waste are separate from regular residential trash pickup.
The proposed ballot question would not establish a final permanent household charge. The $131 amount is described as an estimate and a minimum in the approved ballot language, while the ordinance says additional increases are expected later. It does not specify those later amounts or dates.
What could change
If the city later takes the required contract and administrative steps, regular residential trash pickup could increase from once weekly to twice weekly citywide, with service beginning in 2028 under the proposal.
City staff presented an estimated implementation period of roughly nine to 15 months after the vote, described as late 2027 or early 2028. That is a projection, not a guaranteed rollout date created by the ballot question.
Staff projections for trucks, routes and employees
A city presentation identified operational assumptions tied to twice-weekly service. Staff said FCC Environmental Services could need 17 additional trucks and drivers, five additional indirect employees and additional property. The presentation also identified a possible six-day work schedule and route changes.
Staff identified Saturday collection as a possible schedule change, with some schedules potentially involving three collection days. The presentation also said the city’s Office of Solid Waste could need four additional full-time employees and two pickup trucks. Contract administrative charges would need to be reviewed to reflect the added service.
Those figures and schedule details are staff projections and implementation considerations, not final operating terms. Any service schedule, staffing plan or contract amendment would require later city action.
What the vote would decide
The question is a straw-ballot measure, meaning it is nonbinding. A Yes result would signal voter support for pursuing a higher assessment and a contract change. It would not directly approve a new contract, establish the final assessment or automatically start twice-weekly pickup.
The ordinance directs the City Clerk to send a certified copy to the St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections for placement on the Nov. 3 ballot. The county election office lists general-election early voting from Oct. 19 through Oct. 31, including Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; final-day early voting is Nov. 1 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Election Day is Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sources
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