Hillsborough County, Fla. (Aug. 16, 2023) - The Board of County Commissioners approved the increased Solid Waste Assessment at a public hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 16. The rate increase has been adopted to cover the cost of providing solid waste services. Cost increases are driven by a variety of factors, many of which are outside the County's control, such as increased costs of competitively bid service delivery contracts, inflation, fuel and labor rates, equipment costs, and regulatory compliance.
Residents who would like to participate in the public hearings have access either by appearing in person in the Hillsborough County Board Room located on the second floor of the Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33602, or by speaking virtually.
Stormwater Utility Assessment (Fee)
The Board of County Commissioners approved the Stormwater Utility Assessment (Stormwater Fee) at a public hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 2. The County's Stormwater Fee provides funding for the Stormwater Program, which includes the maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction of the public stormwater pipes, pumps, storage systems, and other structures to help reduce roadway flooding and improve overall water quality. Hillsborough County is bound by law to proactively keep stormwater pollution from entering creeks, streams, rivers, and bays, as well as clean up those waterways within county limits.
The rates will go into effect Oct. 1, 2023. The rates include a fee increase of $2.79, $5.06, and $7.75 annually for the small, medium, and large residential tiers, respectively. The stormwater assessment tiered total rates with the increase are:
- $47.57 per year for small single-family dwelling units (100 - 1,500 square feet)
- $86.49 per year for medium single-family dwelling units (1,501 - 3,200 square feet)
- $132.33 per year for large single-family dwelling units (3,201 - 5,700 square feet)
- $0.0203 for each square foot of hard surface area on the parcel per year for single-family dwelling units with 5,701 square feet or more (minimum assessment of $132.33) and non-residential parcels (non-residential minimum assessment of $86.49)
Learn more about the Stormwater Management Program Hardship Exemption. The deadline to qualify for the Stormwater Management Program Hardship Exemption was on Aug. 30, 2023.
Street Lighting Assessment
The Board of County Commissioners approved the Street Lighting Special Purpose District assessment at a public hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 16. The residential street lighting program funds the cost of Tampa Electric Company, Inc. (TECO) providing street lighting service to street lighting districts throughout unincorporated Hillsborough County. The street lighting annual rates and assessments were increased last year due to TECO rate increases. TECO then increased street lighting rates effective Jan. 1, 2023. To meet the requirements for the street lighting program, rates for FY 24 needed to be increased by approximately $1 million.
- The overall average rate increase is approximately 12%.
- Approximately 80% of street lighting districts are increasing by 10% or less.
- Rates and increase amounts vary by street lighting district depending on the number and type of lights and equipment provided by TECO, as well as the characteristics of the roadways. Rate adjustments are also made for street lighting districts as TECO converts to LED fixtures.
Property owners will see the new rate reflected on their property tax bill issued in November 2023.
Solid Waste Assessment Fees and Charges
The Board of County Commissioners approved the increased Solid Waste Assessment at a public hearing on Wednesday, Aug. 16. The rate increase has been adopted to cover the cost of providing solid waste services. Cost increases are driven by a variety of factors, many of which are outside the County's control, such as increased costs of competitively bid service delivery contracts, inflation, fuel and labor rates, equipment costs, and regulatory compliance.
Historically, Hillsborough County has had one of the lowest solid waste assessments compared to other area municipalities. While Hillsborough County wants to keep the rates low for its customers, the rate increases reflect the increase in the actual cost of the service and to do business.
Since 2015, Hillsborough County has added thousands of new customers annually and has recorded a 3% increase in solid waste tons generated annually. As the population and economic development of the community have accelerated, the volume of garbage generated has also significantly increased, placing pressure on existing facilities and processes.
- The total increase per household dwelling unit is $84.72 annually or $7.06 more per household dwelling unit per month.
- This would bring the current total annual rate of $352.79 to the new total annual rate of $437.51 per household.
This includes:
- The 2024 total rate for collection of $284.88 per regular single-family dwelling unit
- The approved 2024 total rate for disposal of $152.63 per single-family dwelling unit
- Two garbage collections per week, one recycling collection per week, and one yard waste collection per week
- Disposal of up to 10 cubic yards of self-hauled ============================================= (such as furniture and tires) at the five Hillsborough County Community Collection Centers
- Disposal of up to 2 tons of self-hauled yard waste at the County's two yard-waste processing facilities
- Disposal of limited quantities of household electronics, paint, and batteries at the five Community Collection Centers
- Learn more in the Solid Waste & Recycling Guide
Learn more about what the Solid Waste Assessments pay for and what services and discounts are available to you by visiting the 2024 Solid Waste Assessment FAQ.
Water Resources Fees and Charges
The Board of County Commissioners approved the Water Resources Fees and Charges for customers with potable water, wastewater, and reclaimed water service on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, at County Center. Population growth and inflation have significantly impacted the funding plan for operational priorities and service delivery. The rate plan provides funding for over $3 billion in needed infrastructure, new water and wastewater treatment plants, critical improvements to existing facilities, and increases of over $530 million in operating expenses over the next 10 years.
The board approval includes:
- The extension of the Price Index for another ten (10) years, to end after 2035
- The extension of the annual rate increase to begin Oct. 1, 2025, and end after seven (7) years
- The Board approved: a 5% increase each year for 7 years.