Fees are one of the most powerful and flexible tools local governments have to fund solid waste services, incentivize desired behaviors, and maintain financial sustainability. This session will explore how jurisdictions can use fee structures more strategically — balancing cost recovery, equity, and long-term planning — to optimize revenue without sacrificing public trust.

The presentation begins with a broad overview of how solid waste fees work and various policy levers, including service-based pricing, parcel charges, and performance-based adjustments. The first half will cover implementation considerations such as rate benchmarking, billing system audits, and customer communication, and emphasize how proper management of fees supports system resilience and improves transparency and fairness.

The second half features a case study from Montgomery County Environmental Services (MCES) in Ohio. MCES provides integrated water, wastewater, and solid waste services to more than 250,000 residents and 6,000 businesses. Concerned about underbilling and revenue gaps, the County partnered with Raftelis to conduct a comprehensive solid waste rate study, develop a long-range financial plan, and ultimately implement a new billing system — the Montgomery County Annual Property Charge (MCAPC).

The updated billing solution, which integrates hauler-reported service data with parcel-based billing, led to an increase of $1.8 million in annual fee revenue. The County achieved this gain with minimal public pushback, thanks to targeted customer engagement and proactive service support. This session will offer practical insights for jurisdictions considering new or revised fee structures, including how to modernize billing systems, communicate changes effectively, and use fees to meet evolving operational and sustainability goals.