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- April 23, 2013 Public Hearing to discuss Franchise Agreement and displacement of <br /> private solid waste collection services implementing the 15 month public notice <br /> requirement <br /> - April 23, 2013 — June 15, 2013 Create Request for Proposals (RFP) — Franchise <br /> Agreement <br /> June 15, 2013 —August 15, 2013 RFP available for vendors to response <br /> August 15, 2013 — September 30, 2013 staff evaluation of proposals and negotiations <br /> with vendors <br /> October 8, 2013 Work Session discussion of Franchise Agreement <br /> November 5, 2013 Public Hearing to consider Franchise Agreement <br /> November 19, 2013 Board approval of Franchise Agreement <br /> July 1, 2014 — December 31, 2015 — Phased Implementation of Franchise Agreement <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Bonnie Hauser spoke for Orange County Voice. She said with the landfill closing, we welcome <br /> a fresh look at solid waste and recycling services to the unincorporated parts of the county. <br /> As you know, for our small, complex county, one-size-fits all models don't work. Communities <br /> near towns tend to enjoy town-like services like trash and recycling curbside collection. The <br /> county reports 5000 out of the 20,000 county families — about 1/4 -- use curbside trash services. <br /> The rest prefer to use the county's five convenience centers. <br /> We hope you privatize rural recycling collection — in a voluntary program where county <br /> households can opt out. As you know, the town program is already privatized and it works <br /> well. <br /> We see no reason to pursue waste franchises. Today— private haulers large and small, <br /> provide good service at reasonable cost. The Solid Waste Work Group opposed franchises in <br /> fear of displacing small, local providers, such as Efland Trash Services, who is here tonight. <br /> We opposed more fees. <br /> This may be a good time to take a victory lap on the 56% waste reduction rate, and shift your <br /> focus to costs and service. With the landfill closing, and the towns going their own way, waste <br /> reduction is no longer a reliable measure. Now we need your attention on the fiscal impact of <br /> losing millions of dollars from landfill fees, and major new expenses to upgrade convenience <br /> centers and haul our trash out of county. <br /> Don't worry—we'll still compost and recycle — and the county's work with schools and <br /> apartment complexes will help no matter how you measure it. <br /> To citizens, what matters is transparency in services, costs and fees. You discussed this at <br /> length last week. Most households -- town and county— don't realize that they already pay 3 <br /> solid waste fees, and more in property taxes. That's in addition to whatever they pay for <br /> curbside trash services. <br /> So here's some questions we hope you'll ask tonight: <br /> 1. Can the county quickly privatize rural recycling collection and make it a voluntary <br /> program. Is it possible to add county families who want curbside recycling to the <br /> program for town residents? <br /> 2. What are waste franchises and why pursue them? Who benefits? How will services <br /> and fees be affected? Will local companies be displaced? Can vendors match the <br /> services people are currently receiving? <br /> 3. Are there other ways to save money and/or improve service? For example, can vendors <br /> help haul materials from convenience centers? <br />