Wicomico County council passes new landfill tipping fee increase

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – County council passed a new land fill tipping fee, Tuesday night.

Because the landfill is a self-sustaining enterprise that has to generate its own revenue, the solid waste division asked for the tipping fee increase. That’s the price you pay when you drop off trash at the landfill.

But council president, John Canon said in their decision, they had to weigh the fairness of the increase for both public works and paying customers.

“Wicomico county has had a long history of not increasing their rates, until more recently, so it’s caught everybody off guard,” said Canon. “Public works is very concerned that they’re not sustainable; they’re losing money every day and they want to get it back to a level where they are fiscally sustainable, and the county council recognizes that.”

While council wasn’t able to pass the full $90 dollars that the solid waste division requested, Canon said they were able to get as close as possible.

“The council decided last night that instead of going to $84 in July then $88 in January, we were going to hold off on the July increase, then go to $88 in January,” said Canon. “That way we’re going to give the contractors a little more time to adjust their rates with their clients.”