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Rod Visser said that this year there are 2 out of the 12 fire districts that would be affected by a proposed tax rate increase. Last year there were six or seven. The Efland fire district was significantly affected by state budget cuts. They are recommending an increase of .9 cents. The Little River fire district requests a .7-cent increase, to help with same replacement capital equipment. Rod Visser pointed out the Damascus and Southern Triangle fire districts, which are served by North Chatham. North Chatham has a slightly different contract with the County. They have requested an increase of $14,000 this year. The staff felt this was reasonable. There will not be a tax rate increase to provide this because of growth in the tax base and accrued fund balance in the fire districts. Commissioner Halkiotis said that we should celebrate the volunteers, because the tax impact would be incredible without them. There are 320 volunteer firefighters in the County. Chair Jacobs asked about fire ratings and which ones have the best ratings. Commissioner Halkiotis said that Efland has the best one in the County. Chair Jacobs said that the citizens should be educated on the benefits of having a high fire rating because they can save money an insurance. 5. Organizational Initiatives a. Solid Waste 1. In-House Rural Curbside Recycling Program 2. Waste Reduction, Reuse, Recycling Fee John Link made reference to the memo from Solid Waste Director Gayle Wilson. On June 7t" the Chair and Vice Chair and staff met with Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy and Town Council Members Jim Ward and Bill Strom, and from that discussion, they offered as staff to provide the Board alternatives other than the 3R fee for consideration. The staff is still strongly recommending the 3R fee or something comparable by July 1St The total revenue needed is $3 million. The basic fee would produce $2 million, and the second tier of fees would produce $1 million. He reviewed the different alternatives as listed in the June 17tH memo from Gayle Wilson. John Link said that another option not on the memo is to pursue the base service fee of $36, which produces $2 million dollars; take $500,000 out of the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund; and reduce capital by $500,000. Rod Visser said that the Board asked the staff in May to try and engage further with the Towns to give a better understanding of the proposal. On May 10, Gayle Wilson and he went to the Town of Hillsborough and were very politely received. On May 20t", Gayle Wilson went to the Town of Carrboro and was also very well received. The discussion with Chapel Hill on June 7tH was also very productive. One common theme is that all three boards understand that there is a need for alternative financing. The Town of Chapel Hill actually admitted that this was why they let the County take it over because the County was in the best position to handle alternative financing. The comments heard most were some reservations about the fee approach rather than the tax approach. Chapel Hill felt strongly that revenue is needed and