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Gayle Wilson said ultimately a solid waste management authority would be best, but <br /> this may take up to 3 years. He said he is not aware of any solid waste authority that doesn't <br /> have a transfer station, landfill, or some sort of infrastructure that serves as an anchor and a <br /> financial source. <br /> Gayle Wilson said that, for Option 8, he respectfully observes that it does not appear <br /> that the board is ready and able to enter into multiple siting processes for additional <br /> convenience centers and drop off sites. <br /> He said that Option 7 can be implemented fairly quickly but will not be a long term <br /> option. <br /> He said that Options 5-6, recommend franchising, and he does not think franchising of <br /> municipal collection is an appropriate method. He said the franchise option is a deal killer for <br /> jointly working with towns. He said franchised recycling collection tends to perform poorly. <br /> He said that district taxes seem to be the most viable option, either on the way to an <br /> authority, or in lieu of an authority. He said that Option 3 would need a year or so of study to <br /> figure out details. He said that the county wide district would be the easiest option, minus <br /> some equity issues. He said that if a county wide district is implemented, there would have to <br /> be a plan to extend services to the currently un-served areas. He said that a solid waste <br /> district that only includes the current service area or a slightly expanded area would be more <br /> complicated to set up but still has potential. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if he wanted to combine options. <br /> Gayle Wilson said yes, maybe some variation of 2 and 4, maybe ending up with 3, <br /> once an evaluation is done of fees that can be consolidated. He said he is not sure this can <br /> be done in the short term. He said that countywide or existing service area would be best in <br /> the short term. He said that he would not look at an option that did not include the towns. <br /> Commissioner Rich asked if he was suggesting that the next step strategy is to engage <br /> the towns. <br /> Gayle Wilson said the board needs to coalesce around their favorite option to have a <br /> solid concept before going to the towns. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he wanted to provide clarification based on some emails he <br /> has received with misinformation about the recycling program. He said that he wants to make <br /> clear that no member of the Board of County Commissioners has mentioned anything about <br /> dismantling the recycling program. <br /> He said that he has had conversations with several town council members and there is <br /> some support on the part of a few people, but this is for future discussion. <br /> Commissioner McKee asked John Roberts if an inter-local agreement be used as a <br /> short term bridge with the towns to continue the urban recycling program for a couple of years <br /> without depleting reserves or utilizing general funds. <br /> John Roberts said an inter-local agreement could be used, and he believes the towns <br /> do have that authority. He cited statute 168-17, subsection D, which backs up his belief but <br /> stressed that many of the town attorneys do not agree. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he is convinced that if there is not a discussion with the <br /> towns upfront, the result will be a fragmented system. <br /> Chair Jacobs said he has been chair of this board before, and it is difficult to get others <br /> to talk about solid waste. He said that the closure of the landfill will now force something to be <br /> done differently. He said that when the Board decided not to site a transfer station in Orange <br /> County, there was a commitment to explore partnerships with other jurisdictions. He said that <br /> the towns have had those conversations but the Board has not, which leaves a lot of <br /> opportunity to connect. <br />