Waste collection costs at Polk are expected to increase more than in October

Waste collection and disposal costs for Polk County residents will increase 63.35% in the first of five years of increases, according to presentations to county commissioners.

Dale Henderson, the county’s waste and recycling director, gave a presentation at the April 12 agenda review showing that by 2029, the waste and disposal assessment will increase significantly above the current rate of $206.50 per year.

“As required, Polk County has submitted a competitive bid for the new collection contract effective October 1, 2024,” said Henderson. “The bids received reflect the contractor’s increased costs of doing business due to current economic conditions. The proposed assessment for the first year reflects the increase in contract collection rates.”

The rate will go to $337.33 next fiscal year, which starts in October, he said. That is an increase of 63.35% in the annual non-ad valorem assessment.

Curbside recycling ends on October 1st and the last day to obtain wheeled recycling carts is May 1st.

The county recently approved contracts with FCC Environmental and GFL Environmental for waste collection services beginning Oct. 1 and running through Dec. 31, 2029. This timeline includes three one-year extensions each subject to approval by the commissioners.

Under the terms of the new contract, household waste would be collected once a week for the rolling carts. And then the contractor will collect up to five additional plastic bags with household waste four times a year.

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Garden waste is collected once a week with a maximum of four collection containers and separate tied bundles.

Furniture and appliances would have a day every month when residents could go out on the streets. But large items resulting from evictions, moves, renovations and vacancy are not included.

The base amount is different for each of the carriers because the areas in the province they will cover have different housing densities. There are other factors, including the transporter’s travel time to and from landfills and the ability to travel on unpaved roads, among others.

Base rates for October 1 through January 31, 2025 were $24.95 per unit per month for GFL and $18.96 per unit per month for FCC.

Once recycling stops, customers can use the wheeled recycling carts for yard waste or trash, or they can request the county remove it.

Residents who want a second 65-gallon wheelchair will pay a one-time fee of $67. Beginning October 1, there will be no charge to use a second one.

Henderson’s rate increases were based on growth projections from the Polk County Building Division for the county’s unincorporated areas. The new contract includes an annual additional rate increase of 5%. This is the basic rate charged by the contractors for solid waste collection under the contract.

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There is also a 3.8% administration fee charged for the purchase of wheelchairs for replacement and maintenance. The annual disposal assessment will remain the same throughout the five-year contract.

At the commissioners’ annual retreat, Henderson said the current estimate of $206.50 came from the 2015 bid price.

He also reviewed the new 2024 prices and found that they were consistent with nationwide increases and other economic factors, including the higher costs of labor, insurance, equipment, property, fuel, oil and parts needed to maintain equipment, to ensure just to name a few.

Explaining the increase, Henderson said the amount of waste generated per home has also increased because solid waste collection services in the new contracts will eventually include recyclable materials. Additionally, growth in the province was a factor.

By summer, residents will see postcards explaining the new rates and pick-up schedules once days are confirmed. The information will also be distributed through a social media campaign until December.

Henderson’s division will place stickers on roller carts to also display collection schedules.

To avoid confusion, the new trucks purchased by the province will be rebranded and the word recycling has been removed. Although recycling at the landfill will continue.