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Board reconstitutes Solid Waste Disposal Authority and debates $75 fee billing method
Summary
County attorneys told supervisors the $75 solid‑waste disposal fee is set by an Authority created in 2012 and was moved to personal property billing in 2019; the Board reappointed members to the Authority so it can act to move the fee back to real estate bills and collect outstanding fees.
Halifax County officials discussed the legal basis and logistics for collecting a $75 solid‑waste disposal fee before reconstituting the Halifax County Solid Waste Disposal Authority on Feb. 9.
County Attorney F. Jesse Bausch explained the fee was established by the Halifax County Solid Waste Disposal Authority in 2012 and initially appeared on real‑estate tax bills; in 2019 the fee was shifted to personal property tax bills, though the record of why that change occurred is unclear. Because the Authority has lacked appointed members since 2019, Bausch said the Authority must be reconstituted so it can formally set billing methods, including moving the fee back to real‑estate billing which better aligns with a per‑household charge, according to staff. The Treasurer and staff reportedly favor returning to real‑estate billing to ensure the fee reaches households rather than only personal property owners.
Board discussion focused on legal authority, the mechanics of billing, whether the Board should serve as the Authority as it did previously, and how to ensure the fee covers all households, including rental situations and out‑of‑county owners. Alternative collection methods such as adding the fee to a utility bill were raised as possible future options. Board members agreed the immediate priorities are appointing Authority members, collecting outstanding fees for the current fiscal year, and deciding how to manage ordinance administration going forward.
Actions and appointments: The Board voted to appoint members to the Halifax County Solid Waste Disposal Authority (motion carried 6–1) and later voted to appoint Board members and the tie‑breaker to serve on the Authority (roll call passed 6–1). Other closed‑session actions included multiple reappointments to boards and committees that were announced on reconvening.
What’s next: Staff recommended appointing Authority members promptly and returning to the Board with a plan for billing and collection for the current fiscal year.
