SALISBURY — Wicomico County officials moved forward with plans to raise landfill fees for commercial waste haulers during Tuesday evening’s council meeting, as the facility struggles with unprecedented waste volumes and costly construction projects.
The county’s Brick Kiln Road landfill processed roughly 165,000 tons of waste in 2024, surpassing the combined totals of three neighboring county facilities. This dramatic surge has accelerated the timeline for expensive infrastructure improvements. County leaders considered Resolution No. 72-2025 during Tuesday’s meeting, raising commercial tipping fees from $78 per ton to $84 per ton beginning July 1. Another $4 increase follows on January 1, 2026, bringing the total to $88 per ton. The proposal represents a scaled-back approach after officials initially attempted a jump from $67 to $100 per ton in June 2024, only to reverse course following industry pushback.
The facility’s main disposal area, cell 6, is filling nearly twice as fast as projected, while replacement cell 7 remains under construction. it’s been emphasized that landfill operations rely entirely on user fees rather than taxpayer funding, making increases essential for maintaining services.
Local waste management companies voice concerns about implementation timeline. Seagull Disposal owner Andrew Duley supports infrastructure improvements but argues increases are happening too rapidly for businesses to absorb without financial strain. Residential users with individual dump permits will see no fee changes, as household waste accounts for just 10,000 tons annually.
