A new solid waste rate schedule will take effect on January 1, 2024. Daviess County Fiscal Court earlier this year approved raising the rate by $2, marking the first change since 2011.
County Treasurer Jordan Johnson said the current rates were not adequate to fund the operations and capital expenses without incurring debt over the next 3 years. With the new rate schedule, the solid waste operating fund is expected to stay above the recommended reserve until at least Fiscal Year 2029-2030.
The new rate schedule was adopted in June 2023 to give local residents and haulers 6 months’ notice before the changes went into effect.
“Rates have not been adjusted since November 2011,” Johnson reported to the Fiscal Court on June 22. “Daviess County remains the least expensive operation within a 50-mile radius, per the landfill management assessment.”
Beginning January 1, charges for small loads of solid waste that incur the minimum fee will increase by $2 at each location.
“As far as what will affect the majority of local haulers, the Grimes Avenue Transfer Station will see an increase of $6.50 per ton for trash from $30.50 to $37,” Johnson said.
The West Daviess County Landfill will see an increase of $4.50 per ton for trash — from $25.50 to $30 — and $3.50 per ton for C&D material — from $19.50 to $23.
The Solid Waste Department has also assigned higher fees for out-of-county material and adjusted rates for infrequent material that does not fit the classification for trash or CD&D.
Penalties have also increased for misidentified waste and loads that are brought without a tarp.
