Putnam County residents could soon see a separate solid waste fee appear on their property tax bills as county leaders look for new ways to fund rising garbage collection and convenience center costs while lessening pressure on property taxes.
During its June 26 meeting, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners approved the creation of two special tax districts, allowing the county to establish solid waste fees in the upcoming budget process. The action does not immediately create any fees but gives tax officials time to prepare the system before bills are issued as part of this year’s tax cycle.
Interim County Manager Byron Lombard said many local governments fund solid waste services through user fees rather than property taxes because the approach provides greater transparency.
“The line-item breakout on the tax bill does also improve awareness ... as a fee shows on the tax bill exactly what it is intended for,” Lombard said.
Lombard presented commissioners with four potential funding options, ranging from keeping the current system unchanged to replacing both property tax-supported portions of solid waste funding with user fees.
Under the proposal, disposal costs would be assessed countywide, while collection costs would apply only to unincorporated areas where the county operates its convenience center system.
Based on the proposed budget, funding the countywide disposal portion would require an estimated $38 fee per residentially improved parcel. A separate collection fee for unincorporated Putnam County could be substantially higher.
Lombard noted that neighboring Greene County, where he previously served as county manager, charges residents nearly $240 annually for curbside collection and access to one convenience center. Putnam County currently operates 11 convenience centers.
Lombard also discussed the possibility of installing Flock license plate cameras at convenience centers and requiring vehicle registration to help identify unauthorized users, contractors or out-of-county residents who use the facilities without contributing to the cost.
District 3 Commissioner Steve Hersey said any new fee should be accompanied by a reduction in property taxes rather than becoming an additional expense for residents.
“I think it’s probably a good idea to do that, but I don’t want to do it without being able to show the public that it will, in fact, reduce their property tax,” Hersey said.
Lombard said commissioners could require a dollar-for-dollar millage reduction in the resolution creating the fee. He also cautioned that delaying a decision could prevent implementation this year because tax records and software would need to be updated.
District 2 Commissioner Richard Garrett said separating solid waste expenses from property taxes could give residents a clearer understanding of what they are paying for while also encouraging discussion about controlling future costs.
“If we isolate it, then it begs the question, on what control do we have over it over time?” Garrett said.
Garrett added that composting and expanding recycling efforts could eventually help reduce disposal expenses. He also questioned whether a flat fee based on residential parcels, rather than property values, would be the fairest approach.
Lombard said moving solid waste expenses out of the general fund would provide the county with more flexibility as the General Assembly continues to place restrictions on property taxes.
“I think the more transparency you have on the tax bill, the better,” Lombard said.
“You heard all the departments ... every single one of them asked for more,” he added, referring to a recent opportunity for county departments to submit individualized requests for upcoming expenditures.
District 1 Commissioner Tom McElhenney supported the proposal, saying residents deserve to know the cost of the services they receive.
Commission Chairman Bill Sharp also backed the concept, saying the county’s convenience centers are among its most valuable services. However, he favored a gradual approach and evaluating the impact before expanding the program.
Lombard also informed commissioners that the county’s contract with Waste Management expires at the end of the year. The county is expected to rebid the contract this month, potentially creating opportunities for additional competition and lower costs.
Commissioners unanimously approved creating one tax district for countywide disposal services, with an estimated $38 fee to be considered during the budget process. They also approved a second district covering collection services in unincorporated Putnam County, with the understanding that any fee adopted would be accompanied by a corresponding reduction in the Special Services District millage rate.
Despite the proposed changes, Hersey said the county still faces larger financial challenges.
“We still have to balance this budget,” he said. “We still have to cut the spending; that’s our real issue.”