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7 <br /> 1 Over the next several months the Board discussed various options on how to address <br /> 2 this funding problem. Elimination of the program was even considered, but unanimously <br /> 3 abandoned due to measured participation of the rural community of about 57%. Some residents <br /> 4 eligible for this service chose not to recycle, others delivered their recycling to convenience <br /> 5 centers and a very few employed private haulers. It was also considered that the service was <br /> 6 important in order to meet the County's aggressive waste reduction goal of 61%. <br /> 7 Gayle Wilson said after considering and rejecting numerous funding alternatives, in <br /> 8 December 2013, the Board indicated intent to implement a solid waste service district tax as the <br /> 9 means to replace the funding lost when the fee was eliminated. One of the services discussed <br /> 10 in March 2013 was a proposal to franchise waste and recyclables collection in unincorporated <br /> 11 Orange County. The Board, following vigorous public opposition, eliminated this option from <br /> 12 further consideration. <br /> 13 He said the Board also recently discussed a subscription service option, whereby those <br /> 14 residents who wanted to retain the service could pay, and those who wished not to pay could <br /> 15 voluntarily opt-out. He said State statutes require a public hearing to be held prior to a Board <br /> 16 adopting a service district, and the property owners of all parcels to be included in the district <br /> 17 must be notified by letter of the hearing. <br /> 18 He noted that the Solid Waste Convenience Centers (SWCC) are paid for by all <br /> 19 residents of the County, though many residents do not use them. He said it is likely that any <br /> 20 proposal the Board decides on may not necessarily be the long term solution to rural recycling <br /> 21 program funding. <br /> 22 <br /> 23 Gayle Wilson addressed several of the questions from the hand out— Frequently Asked <br /> 24 Questions (FAQ): <br /> 25 <br /> 26 ➢ I have been paying the Solid Waste Convenience Center Fee for three years and <br /> 27 it has increased to $40/year in that period. Included among the tax bill <br /> 28 explanations for this fee is "The cost of expanding the hours of operation for the <br /> 29 solid waste convenience centers". Why has there not been any expansion of <br /> 30 hours in that three year period? <br /> 31 The hours of operation at the Eubanks Road and Walnut Grove Church <br /> 32 Road Centers were increased by opening on Thursdays from 7 am to 6 <br /> 33 pm effective September 5, 2013. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 ➢ How many exempt properties are there in the proposed district? <br /> 36 There are a total of 694 tax exempt properties in the proposed service <br /> 37 district. <br /> 38 <br /> 39 ➢ How many vacant properties (no homes or other structures) are in the proposed <br /> 40 district? <br /> 41 The total number of vacant properties within the district is approximately <br /> 42 5,469. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 ➢ What are the average home value and the average assessment throughout the <br /> 45 county? <br /> 46 Average total property value throughout the county is $290,545. <br /> 47 <br /> 48 ➢ If a homeowner does land/house improvements, will this change the cost of the <br /> 49 tax on the property? <br />