How can I voice comments about the proposed rate?

A Notice of Public Hearing was mailed by May 8, 2026, with details about the public hearing at 10 a.m. on June 3, 2026, along with information on how to provide public comment or participate in the public hearing. THIS IS NOT A BILL. Residents may file written objections within 20 days of receiving the Notice of Public Hearing to: Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management Department, P.O. Box 89637, Tampa, FL 33689, or boccrec@hillsclerk.com . Members of the public who want to participate in the public hearing can either appear in person at the Hillsborough County Board Room, located on the second floor of Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602, or appear virtually via communications media technology. Anyone who wishes to speak must complete the online public comment signup form or register in person the day of the public hearing in the lobby of the Frederick B. Karl County Center. You will be required to provide your name and telephone number on the online form. After the completed form is received by the County, an audio call-in number will be provided to participants who are appearing via communications media technology. The BOCC Chair will call on speakers by name. All callers will be muted upon calling and will be unmuted after being recognized by the BOCC Chair by name. Up to three (3) minutes are allowed for each speaker at the Board’s discretion. Online signups for the public hearing will not be accepted after 9 a.m. on the day of the hearing. Virtual public comments will be afforded equal consideration as if the public comments were offered in person. Residents also can submit comments or any documents before the meeting by following the instructions found on Sign Up to Speak at a BOCC Meeting page . Residents can call Solid Waste Customer Service at (813) 272-5680 with any questions about the proposed rate hearing.

Why is there a proposed increase for the 2027 Solid Waste Assessment?

The proposed increase for the 2027 Solid Waste Assessment is to ensure Hillsborough County can continue providing reliable, safe, and compliant solid waste collection and disposal services. Contractual-based cost increases: the collection and disposal contracts include required annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments, which measures how much prices go up over time such as the costs for fuel, labor, equipment, and other operating expenses. These contractual increases make an assessment adjustment necessary to maintain contract compliance and services. Maintaining service reliability and system upkeep: solid waste operations rely on trucks, heavy equipment, facilities, and infrastructure that require ongoing maintenance. Equipment naturally wears out, breaks down, or needs replacement. The proposed increase helps fund the routine maintenance needed to ensure uninterrupted service. The proposed assessment ensures continued service, contract and regulatory compliance, capital for landfill expansion, and system sustainability. Hillsborough County acknowledges cost increases affect households. Please review the discounts and assistance programs available below (see What discounts and assistance are available for solid waste services?).

What is Hillsborough County doing to keep assessments low?

The Solid Waste Management Department’s vision is to establish a path to long-term, sustainable, and financially responsible integrated materials management and remains focused on cost efficiency, innovation, and responsible use of public funds. The Department is continually seeking ways to offset costs of doing business. Solid Waste Management reduced the originally proposed 2027 solid waste assessment increase from 6.5% to 4.3% by reducing operating expenses and eliminating the construction of a new mixed waste processing facility.

What do your solid waste assessments pay for?

The annual solid waste assessments pay for more than just garbage collection and disposal. Two garbage collections per week (County provided gray roll-cart) One recycling collection per week (County provided blue roll-cart) One yard waste collection per week. Customers must provide their own bag, box, or container. Disposal of up to 10 cubic yards of self-hauled bulky waste (such as furniture and appliances) at five Hillsborough County Community Collection Centers Disposal of up to two tons of self-hauled yard waste at the County’s two yard-waste processing facilities, Northwest and South County Disposal of limited quantities of household electronics and paint at five Community Collection Centers Disposal of certain batteries at five Community Collection Centers and Household Hazardous Waste collection events Disposal of limited quantities of Household Hazardous Waste at collections held the first three Saturdays each month at rotating locations Three donation sites for usable household items open six days per week Free education & outreach programs , such as: Where Does It Go? Search Tool , a mobile-friendly online tool that provides convenient options and directions to discard specific items Online Recycling Guide that highlights what (and what not) to place in your recycling cart Request a presentation for your next neighborhood association meeting or community event to learn about recycling, solid waste services, and what happens to waste after it leaves the curb Report a broken roll-cart for repair or replacement Report a missed pickup for your curbside location

Can I cancel my residential solid waste collection services?

No. Residential collection services are mandatory for all single-family residential units in the Hillsborough County Service Area. State law requires us to inform you that failure to pay the solid waste assessments will cause a tax certificate to be issued against the property which may result in loss of title.

What discounts and assistance are available for solid waste services?

Hillsborough County offers the following programs for qualified residents. Click the links for deadlines, eligibility, and applications. Discounts and assistance Hardship/Affordability Credit Program Qualifying low-income homeowners can receive financial assistance to help cover a portion of their annual assessments. Senior Citizen Solid Waste Discount and Exemption Senior citizen discounts for trash service and accessory dwelling exemptions are available for qualified individuals. Accessory dwelling exemption for those with a disability If your property is billed for an accessory dwelling, Hillsborough County offers an exemption for additional collection/disposal charges for people over 18 with a disability. Disability Back Door Trash Collection Customers who are physically unable to place their roll carts curbside for collection may qualify to receive the backdoor service at no charge.

How much revenue is generated from the County's waste-to-energy facility and other related operations, and how is that revenue applied to offset costs?

The County’s waste-to-energy facility converts household and commercial waste into electricity, generating approximately $12 million in annual revenue. This revenue helps to offset approximately 40% of the facility’s roughly $30 million annual operating costs. The revenue generated by the facility helps offset operating expenses, which reduces the cost of solid waste disposal services and helps keep residential assessments and commercial tipping fees lower than they otherwise would be. The County also includes the costs of maintaining, upgrading, and reinvesting in the facility as part of its long-term financial planning and current rate structure to ensure the facility remains reliable and sustainable.

What specific cost increases are driving the proposed 2027 assessment increase?

The proposed FY 2027 assessment increase of $22.00 for single-family residential customers consists of: Collection: $12.09 net increase. The collection contract includes an annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment, which accounts for the increased costs. Disposal: $9.91 increase. Of this amount, $5.02 is attributable to contract and operating cost increases, and $4.89 is for facility maintenance and capital.

What cost-saving measures have been implemented before proposing this increase?

The County has pursued multiple strategies to manage costs: Competitive procurement of contracted services: Nearly 80% of the County's solid waste operating costs are for services that are competitively bid on the open market, helping to ensure that pricing reflects competitive market conditions. Outsourcing additional services: The County has outsourced functions such as cart management to achieve operational savings. Revenue generation: As noted above, the County generates revenue from electricity sales and scrap metal recovery to offset disposal costs. The County has also evaluated lowering the level of service (for example, reducing collection frequency), but this option has not been supported by the community in past discussions.

How does the County determine whether growth is paying for itself rather than shifting costs to existing residents?

In 2024, the Solid Waste Management Department updated its Solid Waste Master Plan . This plan looks ahead through 2065 to prepare for more people and more waste. It also includes ways to increase recycling and make the landfill last longer. The plan reviews the current waste system and identifies improvements to programs, facilities, equipment, and technology. By planning for future needs and costs, the County helps make sure expenses are clear and fair for both new and current customers.

Year-by-year history of the residential solid waste assessment

Year Total Assessment Collection Disposal 2000 $161.63 $85.43 $76.20 2001 $161.63 $85.43 $76.20 2002 $161.63 $85.43 $76.20 2003 $161.63 $85.43 $76.20 2004 $166.11 $85.43 $80.68 2005 $170.59 $85.43 $85.16 2006 $170.59 $85.43 $85.16 2007 $170.59 $85.43 $85.16 2008 $193.60 $87.99 $105.61 2009 $209.07 $90.63 $118.44 2010 $222.28 $93.35 $128.93 2011 $231.17 $96.15 $135.02 2012 $231.17 $94.94 $136.23 2013 $231.17 $148.60 $82.57 2014 $222.75 $131.43 $91.32 2015 $222.75 $131.43 $91.32 2016 $222.75 $131.43 $91.32 2017 $222.75 $131.43 $91.32 2018 $228.96 $131.43 $97.53 2019 $228.96 $131.43 $97.53 2020 $234.32 $131.43 $102.89 2021 $289.32 $186.43 $102.89 2022 $352.79 $234.47 $118.32 2023 $352.79 $234.47 $118.32 2024 $437.51 $284.88 $152.63 2025 $477.89 $297.70 $180.19 2026 $510.77 $302.17 $208.60

2027 Solid Waste Assessment Increase: Frequently Asked Questions

Clear information on the assessment increase and how it affects residents

Here are answers to common questions about the proposed 2027 Solid Waste Assessment Increase. These answers to FAQs explain what is driving the changes, how revenues are used, and what steps the County has taken to manage costs responsibly.

The proposed FY 2027 assessment increase is $22 for single-family residential customers and includes:

Collection: $12.09 increase.The collection contract includes an annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment, which accounts for inflation and for increased costs.
Disposal: $9.91 increase. Of this amount, $5.02 is attributed to contract and operating cost increases, and $4.89 is for facility maintenance and capital.

FAQs

For more informaton

More information can be found on the 2027 Proposed Solid Waste Residential Assessment FAQs page.

For additional questions, the Solid Waste Management Customer Service team is available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

Phone: (813) 272-5680
Email: SolidWaste@HCFL.gov