Clay County Commissioners Approve $100 Solid Waste Fee to Address Transfer Station Costs

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Board of Commissioners approved a $100 annual Solid Waste Availability Fee for residential properties, effective Jan. 1, 2026, to offset mounting operational losses at the county’s Transfer Station. The decision, part of the $27.7 million Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget adopted June 23, 2025, aims to fund critical repairs and sustain mandated waste management services.

The fee, detailed in an ordinance passed July 17, replaces the $125 annual Transfer Station permit and will be billed with property tax statements. It applies to improved residential properties and dwellings, with a reduced $50 fee for campgrounds due to their seasonal use. Properties within the Town of Hayesville are exempt, as the town provides its own trash and recycling services, per North Carolina General Statutes 153A-292.

Board Chairman Dr. Rob Peck emphasized the fee’s necessity, citing a $113,568 loss at the Transfer Station from 2022-25, including an $85,433 deficit in the last fiscal year. Rising costs for waste transport, tire disposal, and facility maintenance, including a failing tipping floor and push wall, have strained operations. A 2022 state inspection flagged structural issues, estimating $150,000 in repairs, while replacing the scale house and scales could cost another $150,000.

The county is exploring a USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant to fund a proposed $5.65-$8.34 million Transfer Station expansion, developed by McGill Associates. The fee ensures sufficient revenue to qualify for such funding while avoiding a property tax hike, which would require a 3.5-mill increase to match the fee’s revenue.

The budget process began in March, with the proposed budget available for public review May 20, meeting the state’s 10-day requirement before the June 5 public hearing. The hearing, advertised in the Clay County Progress, included discussion of the fee and a $0.01 fire tax adjustment for the Hayesville Fire District, generating $150,000 for fire services. After tabling the budget for further review, commissioners reconvened June 23 to approve it unanimously.

Peck addressed concerns about the fee’s impact, noting relief programs like the Homestead Exclusion, Disabled Veteran Exclusion, and Circuit Breaker Deferment for eligible elderly, disabled, or veteran residents. Surrounding counties, including Cherokee ($85) and Macon ($120), have similar fees.

The board’s fiscal stewardship, including $85 million in grants over seven years and eight consecutive budget surpluses, has avoided tax increases since 2017. Peck said the fee ensures transparency, directing all revenue to the Transfer Station without diverting funds from other services.