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7 <br /> rates. We also ask that you keep that Division whole to continue to provide services that this <br /> County needs at levels that are not appreciably decreasing. <br /> Our County is second to none in North Carolina when it comes to providing a high <br /> quality and degree of recycling and waste reduction services and it shows in our consistently <br /> high and constantly improving waste reduction rate, tremendous public support of the recycling <br /> and continued investment by the Board in these services. Our staff makes over 300,000 <br /> recycling collection stops each year using our own vehicles, not including our curbside <br /> contractor's 800,000 stops a year. We will experience over 7,000 visits to the household <br /> hazardous waste collection program this year including those from small businesses. We have <br /> the highest rate of electronics recycling in the state. We conducted over 100 presentations, <br /> tours and workshops on solid waste issues for the public. We continue to add new programs <br /> such as the recently added rigid plastics program at the drop-off sites and have effectively <br /> taken on Orange County Schools' recycling collections this year without adding any staff or <br /> new budget. We reduced the schools' recycling costs and added revenue to the Solid Waste <br /> Department from that contract. We are able to cover our program expansions by repurposing <br /> and rescheduling trucks, staff and containers and through successful grantsmanship. <br /> While our Solid Waste Convenience Centers have not been upgraded to provide the <br /> level of service we believe would be most efficient and safe, we do experience over 400,000 <br /> visits a year from our residents. A highly dedicated hard working staff of attendants and <br /> drivers keeps all those contains emptied, while keeping site users safe and properly informed <br /> of how to manage their wastes. That is no small feat—there are 18 categories of separation <br /> possible at each convenience center. The reduced hours and days imposed this year have <br /> made traffic more intense, especially on Saturdays or following a holiday closure. <br /> The Orange County landfill has been managed soundly in a way that has extended its <br /> life through innovative programs such as alternate daily cover. The degree of environmental <br /> monitoring and protection far exceeds any State or Federal standards. We have had no <br /> operational notices of violation in 38 years. We continue to receive over 80% of the municipal <br /> solid waste generated within the County and the Towns and efficiently manage not only waste <br /> burial but yard waste, clean wood, scrap metal, white goods, tires, and construction waste on <br /> our site at Eubanks Road. Our mulch is a highly sought product locally. <br /> Due to the intensive, ongoing nature of our work, the fact that over 80% of the Solid <br /> Waste budget is not from the general fund but from a fully-funded, well-managed enterprise <br /> fund that does not directly impact tax rates and due to the ongoing need to continue to <br /> improve our management and reduction of solid waste, we ask you not to further cut the solid <br /> waste budget and to enable the hiring of positions that have recently become vacant or will <br /> become vacant due to retirement, injury, or leaving. We do not ask for any increase in the <br /> budget or any new positions, just to be able to maintain current staffing to do what we do well <br /> on behalf of Orange County every day." <br /> b. Matters on the Printed Agenda <br /> (These matters were considered when the Board addressed that item on the agenda <br /> below.) <br /> 3. Proclamations/ Resolutions/ Special Presentations-NONE <br /> 4. Consent Agenda <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner <br /> Pelissier to approve those items on the consent agenda as stated below: <br />