Trash Tax Puts Sampson County Folks Down In The Dumps

By Emily Weaver
Dunn Daily Record

SAMPSON COUNTY – Sampson County residents are down in the dumps over a new convenience center charge set to take effect Jan. 1.

Every household in the county’s unincorporated areas is getting a bill for a new $80 decal required to use the county’s landfills. The decals must be renewed every year and will be required at every site, except the Snow Hill dump in front of the Sampson County landfill.

Wendy Taylor, of Greens Bridge Road, was dressed as the Grinch as she took the podium to recite a poem against the new “trash tax” at the Sampson County Board of Commissioners’ meeting Monday night.

“The people were busy planning holidays with cheer. They were so excited that Christmas was near. Then, they went to their mailboxes and found a new bill. The commissioners had sent them another raw deal,” Taylor recited. “…‘A tax on our trash?’ the poor citizens hollered, ‘and look at the cost! Why, it’s $80!’”

Each household will be issued two decals for $80. Homes with more than two cars will need to pay another $80 for two more decals. Marilyn Brooks of Rose Hill has three cars at her house.

“Those with more than two are being penalized for owning more than the government feels we should own. I would have to pay $160 per year for four decals. I only need three,” she said. “We’re doubling the taxes to be able to use these sites yet how does my ownership of three cars produce any more waste for these sites than they do now? This doesn’t add up for me.”

Her bill came in the mail without warning. A brochure explaining the new fee says the decals are nonrefundable, even if they get lost in the mail. Replacement decals will cost the same as new ones.

“Between the letter and the brochure I’m still not sure if I’m required to have a decal if I choose not to use the convenience site,” she said. “… Americans are tapped out. We are in a recession, borderline depression. If folks start throwing their garbage in fields or on the roadside this county is going to have an infestation of rats and other vermin which leads to disease. I, for one, enjoy living in a clean community and don’t want to see it become a rat-infested hell hole.”

The fee will not apply to households inside town or city limits where trash collection is provided as a municipal service.

Residents, who pay for a private solid waste collection service, will need to apply for an exemption, showing proof of that service with a past bill.

Households and businesses outside of Sampson County will have to pay $120 to purchase the decal.

Jack Hill uses the Newton Grove convenience site near his home once a week.

“A couple of weeks ago I went on Friday. Got to the gate. The gate’s locked. Nothing there. Nobody there. I looked at the hours. They’re supposed to be open,” he told the Board of Commissioners Monday. He went the same day of the meeting and was met with the same locked gate.

“It’s supposed to be convenient. I don’t see where it’s convenient, me going two or three times to carry (the same load) … of trash. How is that convenient to me and then you want me to pay $80 a year for that convenience? Why weren’t we told about this ahead of time?” he asked.

Hill said he only learned of the new charge when his bill came in the mail.

Board of Commissioners Chairman Jerol Kivett told the crowd that the board had to look at alternative ways to increase revenue in the budget, back in March. He said the board was tasked with the expense of implementing recommendations from a pay study needed to retain and recruit county employees and had to set aside money to maintain facilities.

“Our federal government concept of free spending and operating without a balanced budget is not a sound concept (with which) to govern,” Kivett said. “This is also not an option for local county governments. By law, we can’t print money. The federal government printed $13.2 trillion during COVID unfunded. We don’t have that option folks.

“Last year, our projected tax base increased but the board had to reduce the budget by approximately $2.5 million. Over $1 million was cut deferring deposits over into reserve accounts that are needed for longterm maintenance of facilities. These are issues that we have to deal with as commissioners because that’s our responsibility. We’re also concerned about inflation and other supply chains. On a monthly basis, our county expenditures on electricity, gas and other utilities are concerning. These costs are increasing for the county government in the same manner that individual homeowners and businesses are facing,” he continued.

All of those issues came at a cost, he said.

“Now, this year, considering what we did, we’re $8 million short,” Kivett said. “Our goal is not to hurt anyone, but to help everyone.”