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 are the solid waste fees changing?
Fees across all categories decrease 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 2024 fund the 2025 budget, fees in 2025 fund the 2026 budget, and so on.
| 2025 Rate Type | 2025 Fee | 2026 Rate Type | 2026 Fee |
| Base Residential (197,827 Units) | $5.00 | Base Residential (199,766 Units) | $4.00 |
| High Density Residential (43,855 units) | $4.00 | High Density Residential (44,497 units) | $3.20 |
| High Density Residential with Add. Use (3,153 units) | $6.25 | High Density Residential with Add. Use (3,177 units) | $5.00 |
| Tier 1 (1,455 parcels) | $15.63 | Tier 1 (2,232 parcels) | $25.00 |
| Tier 2 (10,859 parcels) | $31.25 | Tier 2 (10,917 parcels) | $60.00 |
| Tier 3 (4,733 parcels) | $62.50 | Tier 3 (4,764 parcels) | $100.00 |
| Tier 4 (1,017 parcels) | $250.00 | Tier 4 (265 parcels) | $200.00 |
| Tier 5 (24 parcels) | $500.00 | Tier 5 (31 parcels) | $400.00 |
| Total of 262,923 parcels for 2025 | Total of 265,649 parcels for 2026 |
What will be funded by the solid waste fees?
Planned programs for 2026 include:
- Bulky waste coupon program for residents to dispose of up to 1,000 pounds of waste for free at the transfer stations
- Electronic waste collection event
- A coupon program for mattresses and box springs (if well-received in 2025)
- MedSafe dropbox expansion to additional small city police stations
- Christmas tree recycling program
- Five household hazardous waste remote collection events
- 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 | 2023 Actual | 2024 Actual | 2025 Revised Budget | Current 2025 Estimates | 2026 Requested Budget*** | Current 2026 Estimates |
| Household Hazardous Waste | $999,030 | $900,025 | $1,332,248 | $1,130,447 | $1,321,768 | $1,332,483 |
| Waste Minimization | $188,195 | $206,434 | $243,136 | $214,621 | $410,673 | $223,048 |
| Special Projects* | $407,940 | $358,152 | $496,000 | $365,388 | $496,000 | $372,772 |
| Solid Waste Enforcement** | $99,813 | $109,022 | $117,336 | $109,606 | $116,666 | $114,029 |
| Solid Waste Project Management** | $184,036 | $210,218 | $248,812 | $214,111 | $245,730 | $222,569 |
| TOTAL | $1,879,014 | $1,783,851 | $2,437,532 | $2,034,173 | $2,590,837 | $2,264,901 |
*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
***Requested budget does not include updated benefit rates for 2026 or updated fleet and admin. charges for 2026
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. The Sedgwick County Clerk’s Office has published resources to assist property owners who wish to investigate this option further.