AGENDA DATE: 3/18/2026
TITLE:
Rivanna Solid Waste Authority Ivy Materials Utilization Center FY 27 Fees and Charges
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Proposal to Adjust Certain Fees and Charges for the Ivy Materials Utilization Center for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Herrick, Ruege, Dumars, Sumner, Davidson
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) operates the Ivy Materials Utilization Center (MUC) on behalf of Albemarle County and City of Charlottesville. The site includes a solid waste transfer station, which receives municipal solid waste (MSW) from trash haulers and the public. A variety of other materials are collected at the facility, as detailed in the Rate Schedule included with the letter from the RSWA Executive Director dated December 1, 2025 (Attachment A).
Albemarle County has full fiscal responsibility for covering all costs associated with the transfer station after revenue from tipping fees is accounted for. The transfer station was constructed through a 2016 amendment to the Ivy MUC Programs Agreement between the County and RSWA. The agreement specifies that any changes to tipping or other fees must be requested by the majority vote of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors prior to adoption by the RSWA Board of Directors (Attachment B).
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality Government Operations - Ensure County government’s capacity to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities.
DISCUSSION: In response to a steady increase in annual tonnage received, rising costs for operation of Ivy MUC, and local market rates, the RSWA Executive Director formally proposed in a letter dated December 1, 2025 (Attachment A) that the Board of Supervisors consider an increase in tipping fees for MSW (from $60 to $64 per ton), Construction and Demolition Debris (from $60 to $64 per ton), Vegetative Waste (from $54 to $58 per ton), Large Clean Fill Program (from $3.50 to $4.00 per ton) and the Minimum Charge per load (from $6.00 to $8.00). RSWA and County staff have weighed the potential financial implications of the proposed fee adjustments and concur that they would have no substantial impact on the amount of annual tonnage received and that the proposed tipping fee adjustments reflect a prudent response to increasing costs.
BUDGET IMPACT: The proposed increase in the MSW tipping fee rate would reduce the anticipated County FY 27 financial contribution for the operation of the Ivy MUC. The amount of the reduction would depend upon the tonnage of waste processed through the facility.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the resolution (Attachment C) to request the proposed adjustments of tipping fees and other charges.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Letter with Proposed Changes to Ivy MUC Tipping Fees and Other Charges
B - Amended Ivy MUC Programs Agreement
C - Resolution