Committee advances 2026 solid-waste fee increases; committee, advisory panels back single-year approach

The Budget and Fiscal Management Committee on Aug. 27 advanced a proposed ordinance that would raise King County solid-waste disposal fees, increase the fixed annual charge and raise some yard and clean-wood fees, while directing the division to pursue a one-year rate-setting approach to re-evaluate capital spending and rate mitigation.

April Sanders, Council policy staff (briefing in place of lead staff), said the proposed ordinance (2025-0182) would generally increase most fees to dispose of solid waste by about 12.5 percent; she said the self-hauler per-ton rate would rise from $203.81 to $229.29 and that the division estimated a curbside customer impact of roughly $0.30 to $1.15 per month for a 32-gallon can depending on city and service contract. Sanders also said the fixed annual charge (FAC) would increase from about $23.3 million to $26.8 million and that yard-waste revenue still covers only about half the cost of that service.

Why it matters: The solid waste division’s fees fund operations and a capital-improvement program that supports Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, transfer stations, and equipment. Advisory committees — the Metropolitan Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee — told the county they recognized the need for adequate revenues but supported a single-year rate cycle to allow deeper review of capital priorities and rate mitigation options.

Division and council comments: Rebecca Singer, Solid Waste Division director, told the committee the one-year proposal gives the division time to “take a look at a deeper dive into our capital program” and to improve asset management so the division can “do the right projects for the right dollar at the right time.” David Pierce, Enterprise Services section manager for solid waste, said the division seeks to limit operating expense increases to inflation and would use salary savings and operating reductions to cover emergent needs.

Council questions focused on clarity for customers and cities, which receive the bill with their local logos and manage collection contracts. Sanders said notice to haulers and cities is time sensitive because the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission requires 90 days’ notice for some fee changes; staff asked the committee to act in early September so the division can communicate final fee amounts and allow billing systems and city contracts to be updated.

Committee action: The committee adopted two technical amendments and advanced the ordinance with a unanimous due-pass recommendation. Committee members and advisory committees recommended the single-year approach; staff said the division expects to transmit another ordinance next year for additional rate adjustments and will continue outreach to cities, haulers and the public.

Ending: The committee’s recommendation goes to full council; the division said it will continue public and city outreach and will return next year with updated capital and operating proposals and any additional fee requests.