Sarasota County clarifies trash pickup fee that caused residents' concern

Sarasota County officials clarified this week that most property owners will owe an extra $15 annually for trash pick-up starting next fiscal year, not the increase of hundreds of dollars residents feared.

The update comes after Sarasota County mailed a notice with unclear language about the charge for solid waste pick-up. For many residents, the notice said their solid waste assessment would be $233.59.

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Commissioner Christian Ziegler said that some residents thought that they would have to pay a one-time extra fee of $233.59. Others thought they would have to pay $233.59 per month.

In reality, property owners with one to nine dwelling units will have to pay $233.59 annually for their solid waste assessment, which is a $15.28 annual increase over last year. Property owners with 10 or more dwelling units will see a $12.93 annual increase.

In a public budget hearing Monday, Commissioner Alan Maio said the county had received 1,810 phone calls, 39 emails, and 171 letters about the waste assessment.

At the hearing, County Administrator Jonathan Lewis apologized to those who came to express their concerns over the assessment. He said the notice sent to the public met legal requirements, but the county could have been clearer.

“We just didn’t communicate very well,” he said.

During the meeting, the county commission unanimously approved the FY 2022 property tax rates, as well as other assessment rates including the ones for solid waste. The rates will not be finalized until a second public hearing Sept. 29.  

The county’s solid waste non-ad valorem assessment is a charge that owners of most residences in unincorporated Sarasota County must pay. The assessment is used for the collection of garbage, recycling, and yard waste materials, as well as household hazardous waste collection and for code enforcement, according to the county.

Waste Management Inc. picks up garbage and recycling in unincorporated Sarasota County, and the additional assessment is the third and final increase related to the county’s 2018 extension agreement with the company.

After the initial confusion surrounding the notice, the county’s solid waste department used social media, Nextdoor postings and other means to communicate with the public, county spokesman Drew Winchester said.

County staff also went door to door to speak with some residents and hand out clarification letters, according to Winchester.

Anne Snabes covers city and county government for the Herald-Tribune. You can contact her at asnabes@gannett.com or (941) 228-3321 and follow her on Twitter at @a_snabes.