Minutes 11-18-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Gayle Wilson answered several clarifying questions of the County Commissioners about the 4-R fee. Frank Clifton said that there may be an issue to look at with rural residents who use a collection service. There could be a credit for those residents since they would not use the convenience centers as much. Commissioner Nelson pointed out that property taxes are tax deductible and fees are not. He said that he hates these fees because it is not really fair to people. Commissioner Jacobs said that it is a disproportionate percentage of residents' income because a person in a $100,000 house is paying the same as a person in a $1 million house. He said that, as he looks at these numbers, it complicates things and the County Commissioners will have to make some value judgments about the ultimate purpose in the County having its own solid waste system. If part of it is to make it more cost-effective for citizens, the general fund part might be the way to keep it from getting too expensive. Frank Clifton said that there is some discussion about whether personal property taxes will be deductible this year. There is a balance somewhere. Commissioner Jacobs said that he got an estimate from a private hauler, and it was about $250 a year. He said that the County is getting close when it is charging the $91 plus the $75 rural curbside. He said that either the County provides this service or it is a private vendor. Using a private hauling system would make it more difficult to achieve the 61% waste reduction goal. Frank Clifton said that he uses a private hauler and it is $23 a month for them to pick up his trash, but that does not include recycling. He has to take everything else to the convenience center. Commissioner Nelson said that if the real concern is the burden on families, then it needs to be fixed and not shifted. Commissioner Yuhasz said that one of the things that was discussed was that the urban residents were paying the same for the convenience centers and they do not use them nearly as much, and this is not fair. To the extent that the convenience centers are funded out of the general fund, there is pressure to reduce funding for convenience centers from the urban residents who do not use them as much. There needs to be a secure funding mechanism. Commissioner Jacobs said that he thinks it should be a fee and some general fund, and it should be tiered and phased. Also, the 3-R fee should be explained completely to the citizens. Commissioner Pelissier said that she liked the approach of the tiered system. It will be a cost to the citizens either way you look at it. She thinks that a tiered system would be equitable. She would like to know how this will get the County to the 61% reduction. Gayle Wilson said that the residential sector already does a great job recycling and participation is high. Adding materials is the best way to move forward. There is some additional commercial potential in recycling. The current recommendation is for the High Rock and Walnut Grove sites to be in the first phase of the improvements. Commissioner Gordon asked about the cost of the compactors. Gayle Wilson said that the unit is between $20-25,000. There is also a concrete pad needed. The power is also a cost. Gayle Wilson answered clarifying questions about compactors. Commissioner Gordon asked about the cost of the landfill closure and Gayle Wilson said that the preliminary estimates are that it will cost between $1.9-2.3 million. He is working with the engineer to minimize that cost. There is money in reserves and there is cash on hand to pay for closure. He thinks that the concern is 20 years down the road and doing the annual