Floyd County weighs new solid-waste tire fees and a weight-based option as hauling costs rise

Floyd County solid-waste staff presented proposed changes to tire and other solid-waste fees at the June 24 meeting, outlining options that would reduce the county’s current disposal losses and better reflect actual hauling costs.

Staff and transfer-station managers told the board hauling costs are substantial. “The county pays $360 a ton to get these tires removed,” one staff member said during the hearing, and solid-waste staff estimated hauling costs for tires at roughly $5,000–$6,000 per month on average. The county also reported recent increases in recycling revenue for other streams (aluminum/scrap) that partially offset losses but will not cover the full tire bill.

Why it matters: Under the county’s existing practice many tire deliveries were priced informally at $1 per tire for smaller passenger tires and higher for oversized tires. Staff said that formula often leaves the county subsidizing removal of truck and tractor tires. The proposed options would either raise per-tire prices or switch to a weight-based…