City of Miramar Solid Waste Authority Workshop – July 8, 2026

The City of Miramar City Commission held a workshop on July 8, 2026, to discuss the city's participation in the Broward County Solid Waste Authority (SWA) and two fundamental conditions required for adoption: the master plan and the facilities amendment. Staff recommended against approving the facilities amendment, and commissioners raised concerns about unknown financial costs, loss of local control, and the lack of a seat on the SWA executive committee. No formal vote was taken, but the commission may consider the matter at a future meeting before the August 14, 2026 deadline.

Discussion Items

• Staff Presentation – Public Works Director Shauna Combs and Division Director Ralph Trapani provided an overview of the city's history with the SWA, including being an original contract community since 1986, the Resource Recovery Board sunset in 2013, litigation from 2013–2015, and the city commission approving membership in the SWA in June 2023. The SWA includes 29 members with a 40-year term and two 10-year extensions.
• Financial Plan Details – The presentation outlined three phases:
  • Phase 1 (FY2027): population-based cost of $162,157. The city paid $168,689 annually in 2023–2025 and has paid a total of $543,491 to date.
  • Phase 2 (FY2028–2031): tipping fee across all waste streams starting at $2.22 per ton, with CPI increases of 5% in 2029 and 8% from 2030–2033. Estimated annual costs are $210,000 (2028), $221,000 (2029), and $271,000 (2030).
  • Phase 3 (2031–2046): non-ad valorem property assessment based on property type and tonnage per square foot. The example cited $2.72 per ton and 1.3 tons per home, resulting in $5.69 per property in Miramar, though additional program costs were not included.
• Staff Recommendation – City Manager Dr. Roy Virgin recommended not approving the facilities amendment, citing uncertainties in the master plan, potential financial exposure, and reduced local control.
• Commissioner Positions –
  • Vice Mayor Edwards asked staff to repeat the benefits of joining the SWA, which included long-term stability and collective bargaining power.
  • Commissioner Colburn, who sits on the SWA governing board and has 30 years of solid waste experience, stated she believes Miramar is in a better position not to join, citing less say over operations, the denial of a permanent seat on the executive committee, and the authority's lack of support during the Miami-Dade incinerator issue.
  • Commissioner Chambers expressed serious concerns about the county's limited disposal capacity, referencing the Miami-Dade County garbage crisis and the need for a long-term solution. He said he is not saying no, but wants meaningful discussion and a plan that works for Broward County as a whole.
  • Commissioner Sherizard criticized the SWA's lack of tangible wins for the city's $543,000 investment, questioned the lack of cost analysis, and described the proposal as a "basket of unknowns." She suggested the August 14 deadline coincides with her birthday and that the city should not continue paying for uncertain outcomes.
  • The Mayor noted that Miramar was the catalyst for the SWA's formation and expressed frustration that the process did not address key concerns. He stated there is no consensus to move forward as proposed.
• Mayor Ryan's Comments – Mike Ryan, Chair of the SWA governing board, was invited to speak. He argued that joining the SWA is essential to avoid the failures of the past, citing industry exploitation, finite landfill capacity, and the need for regional cooperation. He mentioned a second amendment that would provide an opt-out clause in December 2027, a forthcoming RFP process, and a proposal to give large cities like Miramar a permanent seat on the executive committee. He also warned that non-participating cities may not have access to the global agreement pricing or finite disposal capacity in the future.
• Staff and Commissioner Rebuttals – Ralph Trapani noted that the RFP process is still early and may not answer all questions. Commissioner Colburn clarified that the second amendment and the permanent seat proposal have not been approved by the governing board and would require 100% city approval to take effect.

Key Outcomes

• No formal vote was taken; the workshop was informational only.
• The city manager's recommendation was to not approve the facilities amendment, and a majority of commissioners expressed reluctance or opposition to joining the SWA as proposed.
• The Mayor stated he would place the matter on a future agenda for a formal decision, potentially requiring a special meeting before the August 14, 2026 deadline.
• The city's participation costs to date are $543,491, and continued participation would require additional funding from the general fund.