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17 <br /> 2 <br /> The new management model as proposed by the LOG would have the staff be responsible to an <br /> eight member board made up of two elected officials from each Board. At a later time, the membership <br /> could shift to one elected official and one citizen. Decisions would be made using majority rule with a <br /> super-majority being required for certain decisions. The Board would govern the staff at the landfill and the <br /> staff would operate as a department of County Government. <br /> Mayor Waldorf expressed concern about how the citizens would hold the Board accountable for its <br /> decisions. <br /> There was a lengthy discussion about assuring that the newly created Board is accountable to the <br /> citizens that they will be serving. Elected officials may need to serve on this Board indefinitely. <br /> Chair Carey indicated that the need for this Board to address substantial debt must be resolved. <br /> Council Member Chilton mentioned that the model being suggested by the LOG could not issue <br /> bonds, however, it could issue Certificates of Participation or Special Revenue Bonds. One of the local <br /> governments could use its authority to support a solid waste bond. <br /> Council Member Franck repeated that one major concern with the current model is that there is no <br /> avenue for citizen input. <br /> CLARITY OF PROPOSAL. <br /> In response to questions and comments from the participants the following information was presented. <br /> 1) Decisions about staff salary would be the responsibility of the new Board. <br /> 2) This model would create a totally independent Board <br /> 3) The Elected Boards would have to decide about funding. Currently the tip fee is the only source of <br /> income. There could be a discussion about a municipal/county tax to generate income. <br /> 4) The issue of Board stipend would need to be decided. <br /> 5) Would this function appear on the County's audit and would it be an enterprise fund? <br /> There was discussion about the structure of other Boards which handle solid waste in their <br /> communities. There are three in North Carolina. The Coastal Region, Albemarle and Tricounty <br /> Management Authority. <br /> The super-majority vote would be required when the tipping fee is suggested to be increased for <br /> more than 10% and when contracting for an obligation in excess of$1 million dollars. <br /> Although the 6-2 vote could shut out one unit of government so that their concerns were not <br /> addressed, it also would eliminate the problem of one unit of government stopping the process. <br /> Chilton indicated that the newly formed organization could dip into reserves to pay debt but would be <br /> more likely to turn to the elected officials for additional funding. <br /> A discussion of participant's interests followed. Some of those interests are: <br /> • elected officials make all of the decisions <br /> • accountability between decisions makers and staff <br /> • accountability between members of board to other elected boards and to citizens. <br /> • fair treatment of residents around the landfill <br /> • a mission statement needs to be clearly stated and highly publicized. <br /> • a decision making process that is efficient <br /> • a structure which empowers reaching consensus wherever possible <br />