Minutes 05-13-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Gordon said she thinks this should be financed with fees, and the convenience center fees should be increased, as was the original plan. She said the Board has something close to an agreement with the partners regarding a $59 fee for recycling pickup. She said this means that the County residents have to be charged something. She said the idea of having a SWCC/roadside fee for everyone including the towns might be more than can be accomplished. She thinks this should to be financed by fees for services rendered, and there needs to somehow be a fee that is equitable throughout the County. Commissioner McKee said John Roberts said no one would be forced to do curbside, but he did say they would be required to recycle. He asked what type of enforcement this would involve. John Roberts said the discussion hasn't gotten that far yet. Commissioner McKee said when there is discussion of requirements, it involves enforcement, and he starts to have red flags. John Roberts said the County is specifically authorized to require residents to separate materials prior to disposal and to participate in the recycling program. He said the ordinance would only be enforceable in rural areas in the County's jurisdiction, but there has not been discussion of how this would be enforced. Commissioner McKee said John Roberts mentioned a fee on all properties, and he asked if this includes all properties. John Roberts said this would include developed or improved properties but not open land or empty acreage. Commissioner porosin asked for an explanation of why the fee is better from an equity standpoint versus funding everything from general fund. He feels flat fees are the most regressive forms of charging, and the most equitable way to fund all of it is through the tax rate and eliminate fees altogether. He would be interested in seeing the numbers on that. He understands the concerns about vacant land and churches, but this option seems the most fair in terms of fiscal operations. Chair Jacobs said he hears three options on table, and he goes back to the idea of treating this year differently. He said for this year the three options are: 1) using reserve funds; 2) authorize the attorney to work on a fee structure to make the SWCC self sustaining; or 3) to cut all fees and raise the property tax to pay for all urban and rural recycling operations. Chair Jacobs said all three options can be considered at a subsequent meeting, but he would argue that they will be delayed in making a decision, because the towns would have to be involved if fees are raised, and there are only 6 weeks to do this. He said any changes that are made now will have an adverse impact on relationships and on budgets. Chair Jacobs referred to Commissioner McKee's concerns regarding enforcement and noted that there are several ordinances in place that are not in place. Commissioner McKee said he feels it does not make sense to have an ordinance that you do not plan to enforce. Commissioner porosin said at some point they need to look at the viability of continuing the 13,700 person service area. He said there is broad consensus that this is not the actual number of participants. He said there has been previous discussion of looking at denser areas closer to the towns, and he thinks this option needs to be considered. Chair Jacobs said this is a good question, and he agrees, but he is not sure this can be addressed in the next two meetings. He said many issues have been identified, but the question is what should be done this fiscal year. Commissioner porosin asked Michael Talbert and Gayle Wilson whether it would be feasible to come back with identification of the more densely populated areas that are participating in the recycling service and are supportive of the curbside service. John Roberts said there is no legal issue with this.