Orange County NC Website
Commissioner Jacobs suggested that the Board Chair talk with the Chair of the <br />school board. He asked Gloria Foley that a public comment component be included <br />that involves the County Commissioners. <br />Chair Brown clarified that there is no involvement of the Chair and Vice Chair of <br />the Board of County Commissioners and the High School Planning Task Farce with the <br />next steps. <br />Gloria Foley said that they do want to do the collaboration and continue the <br />School Facilities Task Farce. <br />Superintendent Pedersen said that they are following the high school standards <br />that were approved. <br />Chair Brown said that those standards are wonderful, but there is the reality of all <br />the land planning issues and not having enough room to put all these things in. She <br />encouraged the school board to leave this model behind and work with the County <br />Commissioners in developing a good model that will fit within the urban services <br />transition area. Gloria Foley said that maybe this discussion can come after the <br />package is delivered. <br />2. Solid Waste Advisory Board Report on Solid Waste Alternative Financing <br />Chair Brawn asked Salid Waste Director Gayle Wilson and Mr. Jan Sassman, <br />Chair of the Solid Waste Authority Board (SWAB}, to introduce other members of the <br />group. Jan Sassman introduced selected member of the SWAB. <br />Jan Sassman made a PowerPoint presentation. The presentation was a <br />summary of the extensive report that was provided to the County Commissioners earlier <br />this week. In June 1997, the Solid Waste Management Plan was adopted, which <br />established a commitment by the County to reduce waste. The key feature of the plan <br />was a 61 °~ waste reduction goal by the year 2006. In 2001-2002, the County was at <br />40.1 % reduction and was the first county in the State to achieve at least a 40% <br />reduction in solid waste. It is highly unlikely the County will reach the 61 % reduction <br />goal by continuing current courses. This goal will require aggressive expansion of the <br />present waste reduction and recycling activities. <br />The role of the SWAB is to provide advice to the County Manager for use in <br />developing the annual budget for the solid waste system. The SWAB reviewed the <br />Solid Waste Management Plan of 1997 and enterprise activities and the needs to meet <br />the plan goals. There were two conclusions. First of all, the solid waste enterprise is at <br />a crucial financial crossroads. Current income sources are insufficient to maintain <br />current and projected solid waste operations. Secondly, any assessment of the solid <br />waste operations should be in the context of an integrated system using multiple means <br />and strategies to deal with the solid waste material generated by the citizens of Orange <br />County. <br />The County needs alternative long-term financing for solid waste because over <br />90% of departmental operating funds still come from tipping fees. These fees are <br />directly proportionate to the amount of waste disposed. The costs far recycling and <br />waste reduction are increasing. Also, there is less revenue and increased costs for <br />disposal of MSW and C&D in the County landfill. <br />