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Board approves pilot program to waive landfill disposal fees for volunteer community groups
Summary
The Board of Supervisors on Sept. 17 approved a pilot policy allowing eligible community groups free landfill disposal privileges at county facilities through June 30, 2026, to support litter-removal and recycling efforts.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a pilot Community Benefits Support Policy on Sept. 17 that grants eligible county-based community organizations free landfill disposal privileges at the Rio Rico and Sonoita landfills and two bag transfer stations for fiscal year 2026 (effective Oct. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026).
A county presenter explained the policy's purpose was to partner with residents and organizations that reduce waste or combat litter. "When residents do this beneficial act for the community, we don't charge it when they go dump what they do," the presenter said while reading the policy language on the agenda.
County staff noted the pilot runs only through the end of the fiscal year because the landfill is an enterprise fund that must remain sustainable; supervisors and staff said they would review usage and costs before the fiscal year ends and make a recommendation about continuing or modifying the program. Staff said they would analyze disposal volumes and the enterprise fund's fiscal condition around May 2026.
The chair called for a motion; the motion to approve was made, seconded and carried unanimously.
The board did not specify a budget cap in the ordinance text presented at the meeting; staff said monitoring and a fiscal review will determine sustainability and future scope.
