Sedgwick County adopts 2026 solid waste plan update and keeps 2027 solid waste fees flat

Susan Erlenwein, environmental resources manager, presented the county's 2026 Solid Waste Management Plan annual update and reported that municipal solid waste recorded for 2025 was about 454,000 tons, an increase staff attributed to changes in hauler reporting after a local company exit. "In '25, we only ended up with 4 waste haulers for the entire county... In '26, we already have 4 new waste hauler companies on top of the other 4," Erlenwein said, and summarized recycling, household hazardous waste participation and program savings from swap‑and‑shop operations.

After questions about program costs and distribution of coupons, the commission adopted the plan and the Solid Waste Committee recommendations. The board then heard Budget Office analyst Carly Sanchez explain the proposed 2027 solid waste fee schedule — residential base $4 per unit and tiered nonresidential fees ranging from $25 to $400 per parcel — and adopted the resolution to impose the fees (state law requires adoption before July 1). "The action before you today is to impose a solid waste fee for 2027," Sanchez said; commissioners voted to adopt the fee resolution unanimously.