Agenda - 05-07-2013 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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11 1 There could be creation of a service district concept, similar to fire districts. One could be 2 county-wide with a segregated county wide tax levied to pay for it. This would be similar to the 3 system now. He said the county only serves 1/3 of the area outside of the towns with rural 4 curb-side. He said a special tax district could be created for that area. 4) The final option is to 5 put this in the county general fund and forget about it. He said the reality is that there are a lot 6 of demands already on the general funds. 7 Frank Clifton said he personally feels the county has focused on recycling and landfills, 8 but has not paid enough attention to solid waste, county wide. 9 Chair Jacobs said the legislators have introduced a draft bill related to this. He read the 10 title and said it is another route being explored. 11 Commissioner Rich said this is a shame because the county has an amazing recycling 12 program and staff and are known throughout the state for this program. She said many people 13 in the community have spoken up and expressed their disappointment. 14 Commissioner Pelissier said she looked at this as an opportunity and suggested 15 consideration of pay as you throw programs. She would like to find a way to incentivize 16 recycling. 17 Council Member Jim Ward asked if the fees are still being collected. 18 Frank Clifton said the 4-r collections have already been done in January. He said the 19 budgetary recommendation is not to levy the 3-r fee for recycling until there is clear authority to 20 do so. 21 Council Member Jim Ward asked when the court case took place and Chair Jacobs said 22 in December. 23 Frank Clifton said this case has been through all of the courts in North Carolina, and the 24 State Supreme Court was the last to rule. 25 Council Member Jim Ward asked if this fee had been levied until the end of 2012 and 26 Frank Clifton said yes. 27 Council Member Jim Ward said he does not understand why there would be 28 consideration for continuing the program if it is not set up to pay for itself, and Frank Clifton said 29 it is not being continued. 30 Mayor Kleinschmidt said those fees that have been ruled as not collectible will not be 31 billed in the next cycle. 32 Frank Clifton said he understands it is the Board's decision, but his recommendation is 33 that those fees are not levied until the issue is resolved. He said there are only 2 of the 4 fees 34 in question. 35 Council Member Jim Ward asked if there is obligation to return that money. 36 Frank Clifton said he hoped not. 37 Council Member Jim Ward said he hoped on April 9th the town will hear about the 38 implications to Chapel Hill. He said he doesn't understand what happens to all of the education 39 programs and associated recycling efforts. He wonders if those efforts stay as is or if the town 40 will be on its own. 41 Frank Clifton said some of the educational efforts will stay as is and some won't. He 42 said the issues are curbside recycling and multi-family recycling. He said the programs 43 between governments will be discussed, but much depends on the course of action taken. He 44 said the service district gives the county the greatest number of options to continue all services 45 and perhaps justify expansion. This will only occur if the towns opt in to participate. He said 46 that the reason for the year option was to give communities the chance to sort through options. 47 He said the reserves fee is substantial enough to fund the greater portion of the next fiscal year. 48 Council Member Jim Ward said he hopes the county and town look beyond costs and 49 saving money, because this is a great program. He does not feel the current customer service 50 can be duplicated by someone who is not an invested part of the community. He said the