Paid Camden's Solid Waste Fee? You May Be Owed a Refund

CAMDEN, N.C. — Camden County residents who paid this year's solid waste fee but qualify for a waiver may get their money back. Commissioners voted Oct. 5 to take waiver applications year-round and directed staff to contact people who already paid and may be eligible for refunds.

County Manager Erin Burke said the board approved the waiver form and process earlier this year, but only a couple of people applied before the July 30 deadline. A couple more have asked about it since, she said, and some of them would qualify.

Who qualifies

Burke said later in the meeting that the waiver form applies specifically to vacant properties.

Applicants will not get a decision at the counter, Burke said. Staff will check the information on each form and follow up, and qualifying properties will receive an administrative release of the fee.

Refunds for those who already paid

Burke said some property owners who may qualify have already paid their taxes. She said staff could reach them through social media, the county website and possibly the newspaper, with refunds handled by the tax office.

She acknowledged the work adds to the tax staff's load but called it "an opportunity to make folks a little bit more aware."

"I personally wouldn't think about it before I received my tax bill."

— Camden County commissioner, on the July 30 deadline

A deadline few noticed

One commissioner said he had not thought about the July 30 deadline's timing when the board set it during budget season. He said he personally would not have thought about the waiver before receiving his tax bill.

The motion directs staff to use the waiver form "on a rolling continuous basis" for eligible applicants. It also directs staff to make all reasonable efforts to identify, locate and contact people or entities who paid the fee since billing began for the current tax year and may qualify, so they can be refunded.

The motion passed with no opposition voiced.

Reporting note: This story is based on the Camden County Board of Commissioners' Oct. 5, 2026, meeting recording.

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