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County landfill proposes fee increase for commercial construction‑demolition waste to cover rising costs and earlier cell expansion
Summary
Cabarrus County landfill staff proposed raising commercial construction and demolition tipping fees from $45 to $54 per ton and commercial yard‑waste fees from $42 to $45 per ton, citing higher operational and equipment maintenance costs and the need to accelerate a cell expansion.
Cabarrus County Solid Waste staff told commissioners they will propose an adjustment to landfill tipping fees in the FY26 budget to keep the landfill enterprise fund solvent and to finance an earlier‑than‑planned expansion of the active cell.
Solid Waste Division staff explained that the county's landfill accepts construction and demolition (C&D) debris — shingles, concrete, wood and other demolition materials — and operates as an enterprise fund, meaning operations are paid from tipping fees rather than the county general fund. Staff proposed increasing the commercial C&D tipping fee from $45 to $54 per ton and raising the commercial yard‑waste fee from $42 to $45 per ton. Residential convenience‑center fees for small loads (for example, under 500 pounds or 1,000 pounds) and residential recycling services would remain at existing rates, staff said.
Kevin Grant, the county presenter, said the increase is intended to offset rising operating costs, aging heavy equipment that requires more maintenance, routine groundwater and methane monitoring obligations and to create a reserve for the landfill's long‑term post‑closure care (the county remains responsible for monitoring and maintenance for decades after closure). Grant also said another privately owned C&D landfill in the county raised fees recently, which increased county inbound tonnage and accelerated the county's timetable for expanding its active cell.
Staff said the landfill fund is in generally sound financial condition, but that building reserves for future closure monitoring and for capital needs — including the cell expansion expected later this year — is prudent. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about load classes, residential vs. commercial rates and timing for the cell expansion.
Ending: County staff said they will bring a formal tipping‑fee ordinance or amendment to commissioners for consideration as part of the FY26 budget process and that they intend to preserve residential convenience center rates while increasing commercial rates to better reflect operating costs.
