Subject:
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Resolution adopting an increased Solid Waste tipping fee for Fiscal Year 2026.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Adoption of the resolution to increase the Solid Waste tipping fee to $58.86 per ton, effective October 1, 2025.
• This item is a separate adoption of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 tipping fee at $58.86 per ton -- exactly as it was adopted in the FY26 Annual Operating and Capital Budget.
• This is an 8% increase from the FY25 rate of $54.50 per ton and was based on the recommendation of Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. and the Technical Management Committee.
• The tipping fee revenues are receipted to the Solid Waste Revenue and Operating Fund, included in the FY26 Budget, in the amount of $59,421,880.00.
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Strategic Priorities:
1.2 Maintain and enhance County infrastructure.
2.1 Improve public health.
Summary:
Summary
Pinellas County Code § 106-53 requires that Solid Waste tipping fees be fixed and established by resolution of the Board after public hearing. The code also requires that the Technical Management Committee (TMC) make recommendations to the Board concerning tipping fees. The TMC, at a publicly noticed meeting on January 22, 2025 reviewed and recommended a fee of $ 58.86 per ton for one (1) year. The TMC recommendations were presented to the Board of County Commissioners on March 20, 2025. The revised rate was publicly noticed and approved without objection in a public hearing on September 18, 2025, during adoption of the FY26 Annual Operating and Capital Budget. This resolution is in fulfillment of the second public notice required for adoption of the revised rate.
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Background Information:
The power purchase agreement formerly held with Duke Energy Corporation expired on December 31, 2024. That agreement included capacity payments to the County in exchange for guarantees that power would be provided to Duke by the County. In FY24, capacity payments totaled $77,361,750.00. While power is being brokered on the open market to generate electricity sales revenue (budgeted at $14,341,340.00 in the FY26 Annual Operating and Capital Budget), capacity payments have ceased. Solid Waste Reserves were strategically built in anticipation of the end of the power purchase agreement and are now being draw-down to partially replace the lost capacity payment revenue. A rate study was conducted by Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. and was presented to the Technical Management Committee and the Board of County Commissioners. The recommendation of that rate study is an 8% increase in tipping fees each year for the next three (3) years in order to partially replace lost revenue and maintain required reserves.
Fiscal Impact:
This is a $4.36 per ton (8.0%) increase, from $54.50 per ton to $58.86 per ton.
The estimated and budgeted tipping fees revenue for FY26 is $59,421,880.00, an increase of $2,182,220.00 compared to the FY25 Annual Operating and Capital Budget.
The revenue will be receipted to the Solid Waste Revenue and Operating Fund, included in the FY26 Annual Operating and Capital Budget, in the amount of $59,421,880.00.
Staff Member Responsible:
Paul Sacco, Director, Solid Waste
Chris Rose, Director, Office of Management and Budget
Partners:
Pinellas County Solid Waste
Pinellas County Solid Waste Technical Management Committee
Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc.
Attachments:
Resolution No. 25-