Minutes 10-08-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Michael Talbert said the Town of Chapel Hill has done a comprehensive study of the solid waste and collections disposal options. He said the town has been unwilling to share that information, but it is being discussed at the town meeting in November. He said the Town of Carrboro and the Town of Hillsborough have indicated a willingness to participate and a desire to keep the recycling services going. He said that, with encouragement from John Roberts, the attorneys may be willing to amend their budget ordinances. Michael Talbert said that just leaves a taxing district for the unincorporated areas. He asked how the Board would like to proceed. He said this will be a lengthy and complicated process. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the towns set a limit for the fee. John Roberts said the towns would be asked to delegate the fee setting authority to the County. Michael Talbert said this is what was done in the budget ordinance. Commissioner Rich noted that this is an election season, and the recycling program is an issue that comes up. She said she is under the impression that most people currently in office and running for office do like the recycling program. She said the County is between a rock and a hard place, because no one knows where the town is headed. She said the recycling program is the best in the state, and it would be a shame to lose it. Michael Talbert suggested that staff draft a letter to all three towns, letting them know the County would like to proceed with the district and continue recycling services as provided in the past. He suggested the towns be provided with a copy of the ordinance passed by Chapel Hill, as an example of a reasonable way to do this. He said as soon as the County gets a commitment from all three towns, roll carts and trucks can be purchased. He said that this letter will put the intentions of the County out in the open. Commissioner McKee said he is concerned about not knowing what the towns are going to do. He said the thought the study had been released to the public this week. He said he has reservations about moving forward without knowing what the town wants, and he would suggest not doing anything until the proposal comes back from Chapel Hill. He said there are no collection routes in the unincorporated areas of Orange County. He said this means some people will be taxed for a service they cannot attain. He said this is not the same as being taxed for a service that you choose not to use, as there is not equal access. He would like details on how this issue will be addressed. Michael Talbert said the town has made the proposal documents available for viewing at a cost of 10 cents per page, and the proposal is very lengthy. Commissioner Pelissier said she echoes the concerns about the municipalities. In reference to the letter, she said she is not sure the elected officials in the municipalities are aware of the timeline that would be involved. She said the letter would need to be very specific about this timeline. She said she does not know if this program is affordable without the towns' involvement. She clarified that the tax district would only cover the area that currently has recycling. Commissioner Price asked if the program would be financially feasible if it only involved the County and the Town of Hillsborough. Michael Talbert said this is not known yet. Commissioner Gordon said Chapel Hill is looking at both solid waste and recycling. She clarified that the County discussion about a solid waste tax district is only about recycling. Michael Talbert agreed. He said the state law requires that it be called "solid waste."