The Rome-Floyd Solid Waste Commission has approved a budget for 2010, but agreed Friday to delay a possible hike in tipping fees.

County members questioned the need for a proposed 2.5 percent increase in fees.

“Is there anyway we can put this off to see how 2010 goes?” asked County Commissioner Irwin Bagwell.

Rome Mayor Wright Bagby said the city philosophically has favored small increases rather than doing one biggie.

Rome Director of Public Services Kirk Milam pointed out that the increase had previously been built into the 10-year financial plan for the solid waste enterprise account.

“The plan looks at the life of the landfill and what we have to save and set aside for expansion and closure costs,” said Milam.

Bagwell and County Commissioner Chad Whitefield said the cash balance for the solid waste fund had grown about $1.3 million during the past 12 months to $6.31 million.

Bagwell suggested a mid-year revision to the budget if the additional revenue is needed.

“If you had the opportunity to alleviate that (increase) for a while, why wouldn’t you?” Whitefield asked.

City officials countered, saying the fund has to remain solid in contemplation of expansion and post closure financial commitments in the future.

“If you take the roofing (debris) spike out, we would be worried right now,” Whitefield said.

He also projected that the flow of roofing materials would probably end sometime during the first quarter of 2010.

Milam said the volume going into the landfill is a little less than had been anticipated several years ago.

After considerable discussion, the budget, which anticipates $2,708,000 in revenues and expenditures of $2,428,000, was approved, however the panel did not vote on the rate increases, opting to hold off until after the first of the year.

The budget does include $675,000 in capital expenditures that include a high-tech dump truck. The Solid Waste panel also agreed to increase its contribution to the recycling center from $150,000 to $200,000.

Floyd County Public Works Director Michael Skeen reported that changes in the way the city and county are handling the collection of recyclables seems to be running smoothly. He is still seeking a permanent location for a remote recycling trailer in East Rome.