Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Commissioner Gordon said she shares the concerns about what Chapel Hill may or may <br /> not do. She is unsure of what to do about the timeline, as the goal of the town is to decide in <br /> January. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said if the County does not get a signal by November 21 st, this <br /> may have to wait until January. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if January is too late for a decision. <br /> Michael Talbert said it is not too late, but it creates a very tight timeline for holding public <br /> hearings. He said there would be a 4 week wait and a series of decisions to be made after the <br /> decision to do the district; then a mailing of all the information and maps would have to be sent <br /> out 4 weeks prior to the public hearing. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if this means that a start date in January still makes it <br /> feasible to be done by July 1. <br /> Michael Talbert said if the County got direction by December, the district could be <br /> identified and plans could be made to move forward. He said this information could then be <br /> sent out over the break, and a public hearing could be scheduled for late January or early <br /> February. <br /> John Roberts said if the towns are still on the fence, the County can move forward with <br /> Hillsborough and a smaller district. <br /> He said the towns can wait until the April budget process, which would eliminate the <br /> need for a public hearing. <br /> Chair Jacobs said he does not hear a consensus, other than hesitation to move forward <br /> without knowing the towns' decisions. <br /> He assumes that no one wants to go back to the way things started, with Chapel Hill in <br /> charge of all solid waste. He said one alternative is to let Chapel Hill take over all recycling. <br /> He is supportive of sending an affirmative letter to the three towns to state the County's <br /> willingness to continue the award winning recycling program with adjustments to make it <br /> effective for the partnership. He said the timeline needs to be made clear, along with the fact <br /> that this is a discussion of recycling only. <br /> Commissioner Rich said it should also be stated that the County is willing to purchase <br /> the carts. <br /> Chair Jacobs said this is a large financial commitment, especially without the partners. <br /> Chair Jacobs said there are still issues with rural recycling and whether people are being <br /> taxed for a service that cannot be used. He said there may need to be a plan to make sure <br /> everyone being taxed can receive the service, at least within a certain period of time. <br /> Michael Talbert said the County is also taxing vacant land. He said every property and <br /> everyone that owns a vehicle would be taxed, whether or not service is received. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if the alternative of not having a special district tax is still in <br /> the mix of consideration. He asked if the County could consider providing rural service out of <br /> the general fund if the three towns go their own way. <br /> Michael Talbert said this is a legal option, but this funding is not currently provided, so it <br /> would be a hit on the general fund. <br /> Commissioner McKee said he feels this needs to be done with the partners, rather than <br /> moving forward in another direction. He asked what would happen if the July 1 target was not <br /> met. <br /> Michael Talbert said solid waste reserves have been used to cover the service this past <br /> year. He said the 3R fees generated $1.7 million in revenues that would have to come out of <br /> the general fund to continue the program as it currently exists. <br /> Commissioner McKee said this is not a good option, but it is an option that needs to be <br /> on the table if an agreement cannot be made with the towns. <br />