Agenda - 02-21-2012 - 8b - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 21, 2012 Action Agenda Item No. 8 - b SUBJECT: Orange County Landfill Closure Date DEPARTMENT: Solid Waste Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Gayle Wilson, Solid Waste Management Director, 968-2885 Michael Talbert, Assistant County Manager - 245-2308 Frank Clifton, County Manager, 245- 2306 PURPOSE: To make a formal decision regarding the specific date the Orange County Municipal Solid Waste Landfill will cease accepting waste and initiate permanent regulatory closure procedures. BACKGROUND: Discussions regarding if and when to close the Orange County Landfill have taken place over several years in various forums and contexts. At an October 4, 2011 Board of Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, the BOCC expressed intent to close the Landfill in 2013, pending a joint work session with its municipal partners. The October meeting also provided for a discussion of various capacity options, estimated timelines for implementing closure procedures, costs for closure and post-closure and a presentation of the current Solid Waste Fund Reserves. This October 4, 2011 meeting agenda information is available on the Orange County Governmental web site. The joint work session with the County's municipal partners was held on January 26, 2012 providing for a full discussion of issues related to landfill closure as well as other solid waste related matters. The result of this meeting was an apparent general consensus on landfill closure in 2013. Closure date options have been discussed and referenced over the past several months, including spring of 2013, June 30, 2013, and summer/fall of 2013. Given the delayed timing of a final closure decision, staff has previously indicated that June 30, 2013 closure would be the earliest date that the County can reasonably comply with the regulatory closure requirements. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Closure expenses for the landfill are estimated at $3,116,720. Post- closure expenses for the minimum 30-year period required under state law are estimated at $2,484,555 for the landfill unit, based on the most recent financial assurance annual reporting.