Hernando County debates $15 convenience‑center fee as hauler transition nears

The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners spent significant time on Aug. 12 addressing the county’s switch in curbside haulers and the $15 fee recently adopted for convenience‑center use. Utilities director Gordon Onerdong told the board the new contract with Coastal increases scheduled bulk pickups from four individual items per year to six scheduled “sets” allowing more items per pickup: “The new contract is gonna be, 1 set or 10 items … pickups, you know, 6 times throughout each year.”

Several residents said the fee will create hardship. Melissa Hunter, who said she has lived in Hernando County since 1991, told commissioners the charge is “an unreasonable burden for many, especially in an area where income levels are among the lowest in Hernando County” and warned it could spur illegal dumping. Commissioners who backed the fee said it was chosen to avoid raising the disposal assessment that appears on property tax bills. “Either everybody in the county is gonna pay a higher fee for the landfill…or we are going to have to find a way to offset that,” Commissioner Alaco said, arguing the fee keeps the landfill disposal assessment flat for all taxpayers.

Board members also promised neighborhood outreach and open houses with the new hauler to explain service changes and schedules. Utilities staff said they are planning community meetings and detailed transition communication, and that the Coastal contract plans pickups six days a week in many areas and expanded bulk‑pickup options. The board did not reverse the fee but asked staff to return with options for temporary complimentary drop‑offs and to track any enforcement or illegal‑dumping impacts noted by residents.