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Solid waste plan: higher assessments, Heart of Florida hauling costs and a $3.2M scale-house relocation top capital requests
Summary
Solid Waste leaders told commissioners they will increase the residential assessment and implement the second phase of a previously approved gate-rate increase in October; capital program includes a $3.2 million relocation of the scale house tied to landfill expansion, plus equipment and site-preparation work.
Solid Waste Director Mark Johnson and fiscal manager Cassie Peterson presented three coordinated funds for solid waste, recycling and collections and outlined both revenue and capital changes for FY26.
Revenue changes include: an adjustment to the residential solid-waste assessment (currently $87) and the second phase of a previously approved three-phase gate-rate increase at the county landfill (Heart of Florida), due to take effect in October. Peterson said the assessment change is expected to generate roughly $20 million in additional revenue for fund stability, while the October rate phase is projected to increase gate-rate revenue by about $2 million.
On the operating side, managers said they expect a modest tonnage increase (projected 3.5% volume increase to ~215,159 tons next year), which raises contracted hauling and prepaid-airspace cost recognition for Heart of Florida. Peterson explained prepaid airspace is recognized as an expense as landfill volumes are used and that finance tracks a decreasing prepaid-airspace reserve so the fund and expense recognition are neutralized on the books.
Capital requests are substantial and oriented around landfill expansion and relocation of site infrastructure. The budget shows $3.2 million for scale-house relocation and replacement (planning and baseline infrastructure), with additional engineering, site-preparation, and phased construction costs in out years. Johnson said the project budget includes moving administrative and maintenance facilities to clear space for landfill expansion and carry forward design and permitting costs into the CIP.
Other notable capital and equipment requests include a $650,000 wheel loader replacement, a telehandler (~$282,000), a tire de-rimmer (estimated $30,000; department said payoff within 12 months from reduced disposal weight and metal recycling), and replacement of stationary compactors and roll-off boxes for recycling centers.
Commissioners asked about prepaid-landfill accounting, closure accruals and long-term site permitting. Staff said FDEP and engineering consultants calculate closure accruals and that recent expansion capacity found on the property reduced the near-term closure accrual need by adding airspace. No board action was taken; staff will return with refined CIP timing and funding recommendations.
Why it matters: the landfill expansion and scale-house relocation are large capital items that affect long-term disposal capacity, towing/hauling costs, and user fees; the assessment change and gate-rate increases are the principal local revenue levers to stabilize the fund and cover future closure and expansion expenses.
