Hernando County approves new solid‑waste contract, holds residential assessment steady and plans convenience‑center fee

Hernando County commissioners on July 8 approved a competitively procured residential solid‑waste collection contract, adopted an ordinance updating disposal assessments and voted to hold residential assessments flat for the coming year while implementing a per‑visit fee at the county convenience centers.

The board filed and adopted ordinance 2025‑08 on solid‑waste collection after staff presented a 10‑year rate and financial plan developed with consultant REFTalus. Commissioners accepted the lowest qualified collection bidder and directed staff to implement associated administrative steps to put the contract into effect. The roll‑call vote to adopt the ordinance carried 5‑0.

Why it matters: The county’s solid‑waste enterprise funds operate like utilities. The decisions combine a new private collection contract price with a financial plan that funds current operations, the county landfill’s ongoing closure and long‑term maintenance, and capital work including a planned composting facility. Commissioners said they wanted to avoid a sudden assessment increase for property owners and asked staff for alternatives to reduce taxpayer exposure.

Board action and follow‑up: After hearing the consultant and county solid‑waste manager present detailed modeling, the commission voted 5‑0 to keep the proposed residential collection and disposal assessments flat for the upcoming year and to direct staff to implement a convenience‑center per‑visit charge. The board set the fee at $15 per visit in discussion and asked staff to implement payment methods (card or pass) as quickly as feasible; staff estimated implementation no earlier than winter and aimed for a January rollout once payment infrastructure was in place. Commissioners also instructed staff to bring back the convenience‑center usage and revenue results within 12 months so the board could re‑assess rates then.

Details of the financial plan: Consultants showed the county’s proposed combined assessment (collection + disposal) would rise modestly under the model but that adding convenience‑center revenue could offset the need for an assessment increase this year. The disposal assessment proposal that staff had modeled would have added roughly $3.19 per year per parcel (about $0.27 per month); commissioners chose to hold that increase flat pending convenience‑center revenue and a year of monitoring. The board also directed staff to eliminate the existing calendar‑year "first 2,000 pounds free" practice at the transfer station and to require direct payment by weight for visits once the scale/payment system is in place.

Operational expectations and risk: County staff and consultants warned that convenience‑center fees will likely reduce visits (anywhere from a modest decline to a large drop if users choose curbside service instead) and that some short‑term timing and reserve impacts are possible. Commissioners discussed contingency plans — including temporarily reducing convenience‑center hours or operations if trips drop sharply — and sought a follow‑up plan to either return excess revenue to ratepayers or lower future assessment increases.

What’s next: Staff will bring the technical implementation plan for the convenience‑center fee (payment technology, pass/RFID logistics and an anti‑evasion enforcement plan) back to the board. The county also will track whether curbside subscription increases and larger landfill trips offset convenience‑center revenue declines. The commission asked for a one‑year reassessment of the solid‑waste financial plan after the fee has been in place and actual visit volumes are available.

Speakers quoted: "We reviewed the tonnages and visits going back to 2017 — visits are down and cost per visit has risen," said REFTalus project manager Mark Tuma. "Charging a fee at the convenience centers could generate meaningful revenue but will change customer behavior," said Solid Waste Services Manager Scott Harper. "I'd rather hold the assessment flat and try the convenience fee this year and re‑evaluate next year," said Commissioner Champion.