Winter Garden trash rates rose Oct. 1, and a planned 65-gallon cart would hold the old price

Editorial graphic by Winter Garden Community Website. Illustrative blurred community background: Wesley Chapel, Florida (August 2024), LittleT889 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0). Photo source · License

Winter Garden households with a city trash cart are paying more this month. The monthly charge for a standard 95-gallon residential cart rose from $24.87 to $26.61 on Oct. 1 — $1.74 more a month, or about $21 a year — under the revised solid waste fee schedule the City Commission adopted unanimously as Resolution 26-07.

The charge appears on the monthly city water bill, according to the city's residential waste collection page.

Monthly residential cart rates

Cart size	Rate now	Fiscal 2029
95-gallon	$26.61	$28.50
65-gallon (planned)	$24.87	$25.33

Source: clickorlando.com

A smaller cart would keep last year's price

WKMG reported that the city plans to offer a 65-gallon cart priced at $24.87 a month — exactly what the larger cart cost before the increase — with that rate scheduled to stay at $24.87 through fiscal year 2028 before rising to $25.33 in fiscal 2029. The city's consultant estimated up to 5% of residential customers could choose the smaller cart.

What's driving the increase

A city-commissioned rate study found revenue at the old rates would not cover projected costs, with a shortfall beginning in fiscal 2027. The study projected operating expenses — personnel, disposal fees, vehicle maintenance, fuel and equipment leases — growing from about $7.4 million in fiscal 2027 to about $8.4 million by fiscal 2031.

Staff told the commission the adjustments are meant to stabilize fees, maintain a 65-day operating reserve and create a dedicated fund for post-storm cleanup. The study recommends building that debris reserve to $750,000.

Businesses are affected too: the study recommended an 18.9% increase for commercial cart service and 5.58% for commercial and multifamily dumpsters.