Subject:
Solid Waste Tipping Fee Waiver for Residential Tire Disposal in Response to Confirmed Cases of Dengue Fever.
Recommended Action:
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of a Solid Waste tipping fee waiver for residential tire disposal in response to confirmed cases of Dengue Fever.
• Rate Resolution Number 97-284 provides for waivers of tipping fees for events approved by the County Administrator.
• This waiver is to incentivize residents to dispose of waste tires stored on their property under the following conditions.
• Must be a resident of Pinellas County
• Tires from business will be subject to current tire disposal fees
• Tires will be accepted during Solid Waste Facility normal business hours
• Residents shall bring tires as a segregated load and not mixed with other trash or waste.
• No more than four (4) tires per load.
• Tires may be on a rim/wheel
• Tire size shall be less than 36” diameter
• The waiver period is for Monday, September 28th to Friday, October 30, 2026.
Strategic Plan:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.4 Improve environmental quality.
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
Smart Service Delivery
4.2 Achieve and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
Summary:
At this time, several cases of Dengue Fever have been confirmed in the Tampa Bay area, including Pinellas County. Dengue Fever is a mosquito borne illness. Tires stored on the exterior of residential properties are known containers for standing water capable of breeding and sustaining mosquito larvae. To incentivize residents to remove and dispose of their waste tires, this tipping fee waiver is being put in place.
Background/Explanation:
In accordance with Rate Resolution 97-284 (attached), the County Administrator has authority to waive tipping fees for Approved Special Events such as countywide beach cleanups, waste from oil spills and other events of countywide benefit. Dengue Fever is a threat to public safety, and a residential tire disposal fee waiver qualifies under the stated criteria.
The tipping fee waiver period will commence on Monday, September 28, 2026, and extend through close of business on Friday, October 30, 2026. If the waiver period needs to be extended, a separate request will be submitted for your consideration and approval.
After the tipping waiver period ends, the Solid Waste staff will generate and distribute a final report detailing the number of tire collected/disposed and estimated lost disposal revenue. All tires collected at the facility are incinerated and not landfilled.
Fiscal Impact:
The number of residents to take advantage of this opportunity is unknown. Tires will be counted during this waiver period, and a final report will be generated. The current tipping fee is $58.86 per ton and applies to the disposal of 4 or fewer tires. Approximately 25-30 tires equate to one ton.
In 2025, approximately 1,450 tires or 20 tons of tires were collected.
The total tipping fee collection foregone does not equate to total revenue loss. This waiver is intended to incentivize disposal of tires that would not otherwise be disposed of at the Solid Waste Complex, from which revenue would not be collected. Additionally, revenue loss is offset by the production of energy at the Waste-to-Energy Facility.
Delegated Authority:
Rate Resolution Number 97-284 provides for waiver of tipping fees for Approved Special Events, such as countywide beach cleanups, waste from oil spills and other events of countywide benefit approved by the County Administrator.
Staff Member Responsible:
Paul Sacco, Director, Solid Waste
Partners:
Public Works
Attachments:
Solid Waste Memo dated September 11, 2026
Resolution 97-284