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Solid waste director outlines FY26 budget pressures; public hearings planned on rate changes
Summary
Washington County's solid waste director presented proposed FY26 changes and potential permit/revenue adjustments driven by rising costs and new monitoring requirements; commissioners were briefed and staff will take the proposal to public hearing.
County solid waste staff presented an overview of FY26 budget pressures for the department and said rate changes and permit structure revisions will be considered at forthcoming public hearings.
Dave, director of Solid Waste, told commissioners that the department has not increased fees since 2018 and that several cost lines have risen substantially — in some cases 50% to over 300% — driven by higher hauling, treatment, monitoring, and recycling costs. He said the department needs to incorporate water‑monitoring costs previously approved and is proposing permit and rate changes to make operations sustainable.
Staff discussed possible changes including revising permit structures (for example, moving to an all‑inclusive permit rather than separate residential/yard‑waste/recycling permits) and adding contract fees. The director said the county has already incorporated preliminary PFOS (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) monitoring costs into planning but is awaiting final federal and state regulations that could require further action.
Commissioners asked about landfill life expectancy and were told that at current tonnage the county landfill has roughly 50 years of remaining capacity. Staff confirmed the department will hold public hearings on proposed solid waste rate increases and permit adjustments as part of the FY26 budget process.
No formal action was taken at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to schedule public hearings and present draft ordinance/rate language.
