Minutes 04-23-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Gordon asked for clarification of those parties involved in the working group. She asked if the intent of motion was to choose the tax district tonight. Chair Jacobs said he has heard that the majority of the board was leaning toward tax district. Commissioner Dorosin said, as he understands, the current consensus of the Board is that 2013-14 will have the current level of service remain in place; and all fees but the basic 3- R fee will go away. Chair Jacobs said it will be the same level of service only if the towns participate. Commissioner Dorosin clarified that any option chosen will go into effect July 1, 2014, allowing a year and a few months to work out details. Chair Jacob said yes, including discussion of the authority. John Roberts pointed out that the idea that a county wide service district does not require notice is wrong. He said that, in addition to a resolution, the towns would have to notify their residents of any change. He said their attorneys may disagree on the notice and say it is the County's responsibility. Commissioner Dorosin said this resolution, as worded, would not support the authority. He recommended that wording on the authority be added. He said that without it the towns are not being given a chance for input, as the decision has been made. He feels the Board should get the towns' feedback on both. Commissioner Pelissier agreed with Commissioner Dorosin. She said it should be designated that the tax district needs to be enacted as a temporary measure. She said time may be needed to determine if people want a Solid Waste Authority. She feels the wording really needs to be fleshed out. She said she is not sure what role residents would play if a tax district is implemented. She said that it is really up to elected officials to determine tax rates, and involving anyone other than staff and elected officials to the work group may slow this option down. Chair Jacobs said he was thinking that the tax rate would be determined in 2013-14. Commissioner Rich said she likes the idea of including the authority, but that idea needs to be fleshed out. She feels the tax district should be put in place first with an option of an authority down the road. Chair Jacobs said he was trying to structure this resolution to focus on the tax district for this coming year and then a longer term resolution and a working group for coming back with a recommendation for the next year. He is not in favor of an authority because he feels that more bureaucracy and distance from elected officials is a bad idea. Commissioner Dorosin asked about the idea of a short term and long term solution. He said he thought there was already a short term solution through funding through fiscal year 2013. He asked for clarification on whether the goal is to get this tax district in place through July 1 of this year. Chair Jacobs said the goal would be to at least have a frame work in which to proceed. He said he has heard the point that this may preclude having a similar discussion about an authority. He said it could be either/or since there is a band aid solution for the next year. Frank Clifton said there are some parameters and impacts of these decisions. He reviewed franchise options and the proposal to use reserve funds to cover short term costs. He said that the County, in the end, is responsible through general funds to fill gaps in revenues for all of its operations. He said the convenience centers are already subsidized by general funds. He said the most difficult aspect is to assess the estimated tax rate for the district to operate as it does now. He reviewed some of the cost analysis that will be involved. He said that in narrowing down the area being served, there will be a higher impact on the tax rate for those individuals. He said these numbers will be worked on. He feels Chair Jacobs