Board sets June 3 public hearing on proposed solid waste assessments and proposes a 4.3% rate increase

Hillsborough County’s director of Solid Waste Management, Damien Trammell, briefed commissioners on May 6 and asked the board to set a public hearing on June 3 to adopt the FY27 solid waste assessments, fees and charges.

Trammell explained that the department provides curbside collection to more than 327,000 single‑family homes and processes about 1.2 million tons of waste annually. He noted contract expirations in 2030 for the county’s three franchise collectors and CPI‑based annual cost escalators for collection and disposal partners. Staff said the department had reduced operating expenses since last year and recommended a lower proposed increase than initially projected.

Staff offered a proposed residential assessment increase of 4.3% for FY27 — an annual rise of about $22 per household (roughly $1.83 per month). Trammell said $12.09 of that increase would fund collection contracts and $9.91 would cover disposal contract increases and system maintenance. Trammell confirmed recommended assessment amounts: a collection assessment of $314.26 and a disposal assessment of $218.51 for a combined FY27 assessment of $532.77.

Commissioner discussion touched on urban service area cost drivers and the effect of providing collection outside denser service areas. The board voted to set the public hearing for June 3, 2026; the motion carried 6–1 with Commissioner Christine Miller recorded as the sole 'no' vote.