Agenda - 01-23-2014 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

6 1 Michael Talbert said it is not too late, but it creates a very tight timeline for holding public 2 hearings. He said there would be a 4 week wait and a series of decisions to be made after the 3 decision to do the district; then a mailing of all the information and maps would have to be sent 4 out 4 weeks prior to the public hearing. 5 Commissioner Dorosin asked if this means that a start date in January still makes it 6 feasible to be done by July 1. 7 Michael Talbert said if the County got direction by December, the district could be 8 identified and plans could be made to move forward. He said this information could then be 9 sent out over the break, and a public hearing could be scheduled for late January or early 10 February. 11 John Roberts said if the towns are still on the fence, the County can move forward with 12 Hillsborough and a smaller district. 13 He said the towns can wait until the April budget process, which would eliminate the need 14 for a public hearing. 15 Chair Jacobs said he does not hear a consensus, other than hesitation to move forward 16 without knowing the towns' decisions. 17 He assumes that no one wants to go back to the way things started, with Chapel Hill in 18 charge of all solid waste. He said one alternative is to let Chapel Hill take over all recycling. 19 He is supportive of sending an affirmative letter to the three towns to state the County's 20 willingness to continue the award winning recycling program with adjustments to make it 21 effective for the partnership. He said the timeline needs to be made clear, along with the fact 22 that this is a discussion of recycling only. 23 Commissioner Rich said it should also be stated that the County is willing to purchase the 24 carts. 25 Chair Jacobs said this is a large financial commitment, especially without the partners. 26 Chair Jacobs said there are still issues with rural recycling and whether people are being 27 taxed for a service that cannot be used. He said there may need to be a plan to make sure 28 everyone being taxed can receive the service, at least within a certain period of time. 29 Michael Talbert said the County is also taxing vacant land. He said every property and 30 everyone that owns a vehicle would be taxed, whether or not service is received. 31 Commissioner Dorosin asked if the alternative of not having a special district tax is still in 32 the mix of consideration. He asked if the County could consider providing rural service out of 33 the general fund if the three towns go their own way. 34 Michael Talbert said this is a legal option, but this funding is not currently provided, so it 35 would be a hit on the general fund. 36 Commissioner McKee said he feels this needs to be done with the partners, rather than 37 moving forward in another direction. He asked what would happen if the July 1 target was not 38 met. 39 Michael Talbert said solid waste reserves have been used to cover the service this past 40 year. He said the 3R fees generated $1.7 million in revenues that would have to come out of 41 the general fund to continue the program as it currently exists. 42 Commissioner McKee said this is not a good option, but it is an option that needs to be 43 on the table if an agreement cannot be made with the towns. 44 Commissioner Gordon said there needs to be an emphasis on a partnership with the 45 towns. She does not want to send a unilateral message. She feels it is important to sit down 46 face to face with the towns at the AOG meeting in November. 47 Chair Jacobs asked if this is the majority opinion. 48 Commissioner Rich said she likes the idea of a letter, as it means the County is reaching 49 out.