Minutes 04-23-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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He said that the deliberation time for each of the three options makes it important to move forward with the establishment of the tax district in the next several months. He noted that the tax would not need to be levied until the next fiscal year. He said there are many decisions to be made and he feels that the current services can be delivered more efficiently, but this comes at a cost. He said there is also still the issue of the towns and having everyone on the same page. Michael Talbert said the pink sheet is an example of how to fund this program for the next 14 months. He noted that the back of this sheet contains a snapshot of current long term liabilities. Frank Clifton said there has been discussion about the general fund and property tax to support recycling. He said that property taxes do support solid waste, but convenience center fees do not cover the total cost of operations. Michael Talbert said the county contributes about $1.6 million from the general fund toward the convenience centers, plus the household convenience center fee. Frank Clifton said that it is obviously important that the towns be involved in the solution that is chosen, but this decision is not in the county's hands. Chair Jacobs noted that there was no mention of the option of just having Solid Waste Convenience Centers (SWCC). Frank Clifton said this was not an oversight, but he does not see that happening in Orange County. He said he does not know what the capital costs would be to increase the number of convenience centers. He said this is the least expensive option, but he does not see that as a long term option of preference for Orange County. Commissioner Dorosin asked Frank Clifton to clarify the basis for thinking the Solid Waste Convenience Centers option is not the option of preference. He asked if this statement is because the option would not produce the amount of recycling or if it is politically infeasible to site these convenient centers. Frank Clifton said there is a combination of all those elements and more. He said the SWCCs operate with 2-3 employees per shift and most of the current sites were not designed very efficiently. He said it would cost about $1.5 million to build and upgrade sites. He said, considering the base of recycling, which is the urban area, there is only one center. He said there would probably need to be another site and he does not see this politically happening anytime soon. He said that there are also air quality concerns due to the amount of driving that would be required with all of the trips to the convenience center. He said that the addition of some recycling centers in the rural areas of the county may make sense as part of the Solid Waste Authority Plan. Commissioner Price said, as part of siting a solid waste authority, there would need to be some siting of ancillary centers. She asked if the authority would be able to locate a convenience center anywhere, as well as a waste transfer station. Frank Clifton said that is theoretically possible, but realistically, the towns and the county control the zoning in all of these areas. He said the reason for an authority is the greater latitude in how it pays for services. He said there are many latitudes given for authorities to act. Commissioner McKee said he had heard Gayle Wilson say that he was unaware of any other authority that did not have a transfer station or landfill to generate funds. Frank Clifton concurred with this. PUBLIC COMMENT: Alex Castro is a resident of Bingham Township and he refuted some comments by the county manager. He noted that residents don't make a trip to recycling center solely for the