Wicomico County delays July landfill rate hike; council sets $88/ton increase to take effect Jan. 1, 2026

The Wicomico County Council voted on June 3 to remove a proposed July escalation in landfill tipping fees and set a new rate of $88 per ton to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

The decision followed a public hearing and extended discussion involving commercial haulers, environmental advisers and county staff about the landfill enterprise’s finances, capacity and operations. Council members and county staff said revenue from tipping fees must cover operating costs and fund future cell construction and closure obligations.

Why it matters: The change ends a proposal to raise the county’s tipping fee in two steps (to $84 per ton in July and $88 in January) and instead defers the single increase until January. County officials said interim steps would materially affect near-term finances; haulers and towns urged a longer lead time so they could adjust contracts and municipal budgets.

County finance and operations officials told the council that the landfill is a user-funded enterprise that has operated at a loss in recent years. Pamela Lynn, the county’s finance director, said the Solid Waste Division’s budget had been drafted at higher rates but that adjusting the schedule affects whether the division posts a modest profit or a loss in 2026. Adam Corey, executive director of environmental services and acting landfill superintendent, said a regular fee review is needed to protect the enterprise and avoid drawing on the general fund.

Commercial haulers and municipalities told the council the timing of increases matters. “A July 1 increase announced just weeks in advance puts everyone in a difficult and unnecessary position,” Andrew Dooley, owner of Seagull Disposal, said during public comment. Dooley…