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Mayor Horace Johnson indicated that the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners <br />has voted to approve the County having ownership and management of the landfill. <br />Hillsborough would like to have a 20 year contract with a 5 year renewable clause. They <br />are also committed to the neighbors being treated fairly. <br />Commissioner Willhoit referred to the tiered decision making process which he <br />felt would be a bridge between the concepts being presented. That approach would be <br />as follows: <br />Policy, Budget, Solid Waste Management (SWM) maintenance plans developed by <br />one Board. "SWM Council" <br />* County adopts, selects and purchases sites. <br />* Jurisdictions comment within 30 days. <br />* Increases >5% (unless debt service) approved by jurisdictions. <br />* Local issues left to local jurisdictions. <br />This approach would call for the County to make decisions unless the issue in <br />question was one that called for another level of decision making. The Board of County <br />Commissioners would make decisions with the advice of a Solid Waste Council. Sign off <br />by the individual Boards would be required for increases of more than five (5%) per cent. <br />The incurring of debt would require an interlocal agreement. The County would take <br />care of solid waste through a contractual agreement with the other Governments. Those <br />units of government could make other arrangements if they so chose. <br />Commission Crowther supported the proposal mentioned by Commissioner <br />Willhoit. <br />Council Member Brown repeated that the Town Council is not willing to give up <br />its decision making authority. <br />Council member Chilton pointed out that although it would be legal for local <br />governments to make other arrangements for their solid waste, it would not be prudent. <br />If the County is responsible for the disposal of solid waste they are going to need to have <br />the cooperation of the other elected boards. <br />Alderman Gist asked if language could be put into an interlocal agreement that <br />would protect the neighbors. Alderman Bryan assured the group that the neighbors <br />could be protected in that way. <br />Council member Chilton asked Commissioner Willhoit to elaborate on the tiered <br />approach to decision making. Commissioner Willhoit replied that the elected officials <br />would have to decide which issues would go into the tiers. <br />Council member Andresen felt that it was important to remember that the County <br />cannot enter into a process for dealing with solid waste until there is an agreement that <br />the waste is going to be managed by one entity. <br />Alderman Zaffron stated that Carrboro's decision is based on the relationship <br />between the County and Carrboro being contractual. He felt that Commissioner <br />Willhoit's proposal for the interlocal agreement does not address Carrboro's concerns.