Emerald Coast Times

At the Feb. 9 Santa Rosa County Commission Regular Meeting, commissioners approved an increase to tipping fees at the Central Landfill in Milton beginning April 1, 2023. Tipping fees will increase from $42 per ton to $44 per ton plus a $1 per ton environmental fee bringing the total to $45 per ton for Class I, Class III and recycling. The tipping fees will increase $2 per ton in 2024 and 2025 and then increase $1 per ton in 2026 and 2027. 

A portion of revenues generated from the increase will go towards improvements at the central landfill such as an expansion to increase capacity by 2025 and a new maintenance facility. The $1 per ton environmental fee will fund a portion of the salaries for one new environmental code enforcement officer position and three new site inspector positions within the county.

The approved rate resolution may be viewed online. For questions or more information, contact the Santa Rosa County Environmental Department at 850-981-7135. 

Background on the decision

During the January 24, 2022, meeting, the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners commissioned Geosyntec Consultants to update the Solid Waste Rate Study and Business Plan for the Central Landfill. Before this, the last rate study was completed in 2015. The purpose of this task order for engineering services was to update the rate study and business plan performed in 2015. A five-year final plan was developed to analyze the impact on solid waste rates of implementing proposed capital improvement projects and projected expenses associated with the facility's operation. A copy of the Geosyntec study may be viewed online.

Approved Central Landfill fees (effective April 1, 2023)

1. Class I - $44 per ton

2. Class III - $44 per ton

3. Recycling - $44 per ton

4. Yard/Landscape/Land Clearing Debris - $25 per ton

5. Tires – Residential Only

    a. Tires Only – no mixed waste - $264 per ton

    Mixed loads containing tires will be charged at the appropriate waste type

    disposal fee plus a per tire fee as listed below:

    b. Car & Light Truck - $5 per tire

    c. Large Truck, Farm, Racing Tires - $15 per tire

6. Asbestos - $242 per ton, Minimum $150 per load

7. Regulated Waste - $52 per ton

    Regulated waste disposal requests require review, approval, and scheduling by 

    environmental department staff prior to acceptance and may require submittal of 

    TCLP or other test data as determined by staff

8. Special Waste - $158 per ton, Minimum $100 per load

    Special waste is classified as any waste that requires special handling, equipment, or 

    labor to facilitate disposal. All special waste disposal requests require review, 

    approval and scheduling by environmental department staff prior to acceptance.

9. Mobile homes, boats over 8-foot beam - $528

    Mobile homes – all appliances and tires must be removed prior to disposal.

    Boats – all engines, fluids and tanks must be removed prior to disposal.

    All mobile homes and boats over 8-foot beam must be scheduled for disposal by 

    environmental staff prior to acceptance.

10. Prohibited Waste Separation/Assistance Fee - 

    $158 per hour, $39.50 minimum, per 15 minutes

11. Weight Certification - $5 each

    Military, with valid military ID - NO FEE

12. Minimum Fee, All Waste Types - $10 (excluding Asbestos, Special Waste & Tires)

13. Out of County Host Fee - $5 per ton

    Applicable to all waste generated outside of Santa Rosa County

14. Clean fill (dirt and concrete) - NO FEE

    Clean fill dirt means excavated soil, with de minimis amounts of rocks and vegetative 

    debris and no litter, glass or other contaminants.

    Clean concrete means no rebar and no welded wire fabric.

    All requests for clean fill dirt and concrete requires review, approval, and scheduling 

    by environmental department staff.

15. Effective April 1, 2023, an Environmental Fee in the amount of $1 per ton for Class I, Class III and Recycling will be assessed.

16. Effective January 1, 2024, a rate increase of $2 per ton will be assessed for Class I, Class III, and Recycling fees.

17. Effective January 1, 2025, a rate increase of $2 per ton will be assessed for Class I, Class III, and Recycling fees.

18. Effective January 1, 2026, a rate increase of $1 per ton will be assessed for Class I, Class III, and Recycling fees.

19. Effective January 1, 2027, a rate increase of $1 per ton will be assessed for Class I, Class III, and Recycling fees.

20. Effective January 1, 2028, and every two years thereafter, rates for Class I, Class III, and Recycling. Tipping fees shall be adjusted by the current Consumer Price Index (CPI).

21. The Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners reserves the right to ban out of county waste to preserve adequate disposal capacity for the residents and businesses of Santa Rosa County.

Original source can be found here.