County Council approved an annual Solid Waste User Fee on December 8, 1997, to offset expenses related to the operations of County Convenience Sites and to pay landfill disposal fees. The Solid Waste User Fee also allows the Public Works Department to provide education to residents about recycling, provide Litter Enforcement and prevent illegal dumping, and to promote Community Litter Clean Up.

The current Solid Waste User Fee is $75 per residential unit. This fee has not been updated since 2008.

In 2019 staff completed a rate study. The findings show that Dorchester County rates are some of the lowest in the tri-county area. Since the 2008 increase, Solid Waste expenses have increased 34.5% with an estimated 18.7% growth in population from 2020-2030. At the same time the County is also facing a decline recycling revenue and increased administrative and operational cost.

The internal rate study recommends the below increases in Solid Waste User Fees, effective upon third reading from County Council on July 26, 2021. The new fee will appear on the next property tax bills.

Note: When multiplying by cubic yards, the rate is based on non-compacted waste only.