Minutes 05-24-2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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"We, Orange County Voice in partnership with RENA/CEER and the member organizations of Justice United, are asking you tonight to send a message that Orange County is no longer investing in its legacy landfill infrastructure. Instead the county is setting a new solid waste priority—to develop a long term plan for handling its waste and recycling —which will set the context for all our investments moving forward. As part of the plan, please seek innovative ways of handling all of our waste streams — including sewage sludge and hospital waste. Plus seek new, less expensive ways to recycle. Explore outsourcing —which as you know is working well for the in-town recycling program that is handled by Waste Industries. A moratorium on new solid waste programs and fee changes could accomplish some of the goals you have for Orange County like putting sewer and water in the Rogers Road community. There are no major service problems today—except the need to expand the convenience center hours. Everything on the county's project list can wait until you have a long term plan in place to handle our waste. This is essential to determine how all other programs and projects should be put into place and their timing. Just as you have made a major commitment to economic development, and we applaud you for that; we need the same commitment for a clear vision for handling our waste. Time is of the essence. These actions would go a long way to assure us that the county is listening and investing in programs that will serve us in the short and long term. Thank you for your service. We are prepared to help if/as you need us." Sam Gharbo applauded the Board of County Commissioners for their meeting last night at the quarterly public hearing. He said that it was a substantive move that was not just lip service. He said that when the Board of County Commissioners had its proposal a few times ago for the Efland sewer system, there was a chart that showed numbers for potential rates. He asked the Board to think about the spirit of the direction that citizens have been following for the past couple of years. The County Commissioners have come to the conclusion that they want to tie to the Mebane rate. The charts that were given use numbers that are theoretical only and are placeholders. These numbers are not actual figures. He said that he appreciated the Board's hard work on the budget. John deFigreiredo said that the school funding is 47% of the County's budget and the County Commissioners have very difficult decisions to make. He said that the per pupil funding is proposed at$3,102 per student, which represents a $6 increase relative to last year. He said that the consumer price index is rising at about 3% per year, so if you take the 3% index and factor that into how much the budget should rise, he would expect a $95 increase per student. The budget proposed is a 3% real decrease in the budget allocation on a per-student basis. He wishes that the County Commissioners would consider that as they consider the future of education in the Triangle and in Orange County. Frank Clifton said that there have been several requests from the fire departments for an increase and this will be part of the upcoming budget work session discussions during fire department reviews. In answer to a question from Commissioner Gordon, Frank Clifton said that White Cross fire department is interested in serving the area that is served by North Chatham at this time.