Residents protest solid-waste rate hike as county says Waste Pro appeal is pending

Columbia County commissioners approved a final assessment resolution for solid-waste collection that raises the single-family per-dwelling rate to $245.81 after staff opened a public hearing on the new contract rates.

Residents who spoke at the public hearing said the increase is a substantial burden for people on fixed incomes and questioned notices that referenced a higher maximum assessment. Paul de Robertis, who said he lives on Arapahoe Lane in Oak Hills Estates, told the board: "the proposed maximum solid waste assessment can be imposed without further notice or future fiscal years for the above parcel of $295 $295 and 60¢." He said the mailed notice looked like it allowed the assessment to reach nearly $300 without additional meetings.

County attorney Joel Foreman and staff clarified the legal and contractual background. Foreman said the county faces a pending appeal from Waste Pro: "WasePRO did sue the county. We went to what's called a mini trial ... the judge disagreed. They have now appealed the judge's decision; that's still pending on appeal." Staff also said the rate increase shown in the mailed notice represents the contract maximum and functions as a pass-through, not a county profit item: "This rate is the contract rate for the supplier, and it's a direct pass through. Columbia County makes no money off this."

Commissioners heard multiple residents describe why even modest annual increases matter to seniors on fixed incomes. Jim Balmateria said the cumulative effect of price increases across services could prompt retirees to relocate. The board voted by voice to adopt the final assessment resolution on the solid-waste collection contract (Res. 2026R44).

What happens next: The county will implement the approved contract rates as assessed and continue to manage public inquiries about notices and the Waste Pro litigation. Foreman said the litigation remains on appeal and does not change the approved contract rates or the county's disclosure that the rates are a pass-through tied to the new vendor.