Solid Waste Fee Changes
What is the solid waste fee?
Since 2000, Sedgwick County has imposed solid waste fees to provide partial funding for the programs outlined in the Solid Waste Plan. This fee is charged per unit of land and varies according to property classifications. These classifications are designed to identify the waste-generating trends in the categories of businesses, dwellings and parcels of land. This fee is collected within the annual property tax bill.
Why did the solid waste fees change?
In 2023 the Board of County Commissioners expressed a desire for the solid waste fee to be more equitable, where those generating larger quantities of waste would contribute more to the proper disposal and management of said waste.
How have the solid waste fees changed?
Fees across all categories decreased in 2026 vs. 2025, and the majority of culture and recreation fees have moved from Tier 4 to Tier 1 based on a 2025 analysis of their waste characteristics.
Note: The dates on the rate sheet below refers to the budget year funded, NOT the year the fees were collected. Fees in 2025 fund the 2026 budget, fees in 2026 fund the 2027 budget, and so on.
| 2026 Rate Type | 2026 Fee | 2027 Rate Type | 2027 Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Residential (199,766 Units) | $4.00 | Base Residential (202,534 Units) | $4.00 |
| High Density Residential (44,497 units) | $3.20 | High Density Residential (45,624 units) | $3.20 |
| High Density Residential with Add. Use (3,177 units) | $5.00 | High Density Residential with Add. Use (3,082 units) | $5.00 |
| Tier 1 (2,232 parcels) | $25.00 | Tier 1 (2,443 parcels) | $25.00 |
| Tier 2 (10,917 parcels) | $60.00 | Tier 2 (10,822 parcels) | $60.00 |
| Tier 3 (4,764 parcels) | $100.00 | Tier 3 (4,803 parcels) | $100.00 |
| Tier 4 (265 parcels) | $200.00 | Tier 4 (267 parcels) | $200.00 |
| Tier 5 (31 parcels) | $400.00 | Tier 5 (32 parcels) | $400.00 |
| Total of 265,649 parcels for 2026 | Total of 269,407 parcels for 2027 |
What will be funded by the solid waste fees?
Planned programs for 2027 include:
- Bulky waste coupon program for residents to dispose of up to 1,000 pounds of waste for free at the transfer stations
- Tire recycling event
- A coupon program for mattresses and box springs
- MedSafe dropbox expansion to additional small city police stations
- Christmas tree recycling program
- Continued partnerships with townships where Environmental Resources funds the removal of illegally dumped materials
- Special cleanup program for MABCD and the Department of Aging
- Special cleanup events
- Storm cleanup as needed
| Estimated Expenditures | 2025 Actual | 2026 Adopted | 2027 Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household Hazardous Waste | $1,229,437 | $1,337,330 | $1,366,501 |
| Waste Minimization | $220,818 | $425,053 | $453,479 |
| Special Projects* | $434,274 | $496,000 | $496,000 |
| Solid Waste Enforcement** | $113,400 | $121,918 | $126,957 |
| Solid Waste Project Management** | $219,038 | $256,376 | $256,148 |
| TOTAL | $2,216,967 | $2,636,677 | $2,699,085 |
*No personnel in this fund center, only personnel costs are related to OT for Sheriff Officers to cover traffic flow/security
**These fund centers are mostly personnel, small budgets for contractuals & commodities
What can property owners do to lower their solid waste fees?
The solid waste fee is charged per parcel/unit, and many properties across Sedgwick County are comprised of multiple parcels. Consolidating these into a single parcel will reduce the fee charged. If you have questions regarding merging parcels, please call the Sedgwick County Clerk's office at 316-660-9223.