Minutes 12-09-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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organized program that offers competitively obtained purchasing services at discount prices to two or more public agencies. The HGACBuy is a cooperative purchasing group that meets the requirements of NCGS 143-129(e) (3). The specific contract number is HGACBuy Contract#GC01-13. The $66,144 budget increase is proposed to be funded by increasing the amount borrowed from the solid waste enterprise fund reserve. Commissioner Jacobs since the Solid Waste Advisory Group (SWAG) is looking at options for funding, he wonders if this is not putting the cart before the horse. He said this is the modality that will be embraced, but it is predicated on having a way to pay for it that is legally defensible and fiscally practical, and the advisory group has not yet adopted this. Gayle Wilson said a decision has already been made for the urban system, and three times as many carts were purchased. He would think that the funding situation for the urban programs and the rural programs would be the same. He said if a comprehensive way cannot be found to fund recycling, then 7000 carts will not be the biggest problem. Commissioner Jacobs said he respects Gayle Wilson's comment, but there have been so many agonizing conversations about how this will work both financially and legally, and it seems to have leaked to making a decision. He said the advisory group thinks this is where we will end up, but the whole board has not been brought along in the discussion of the funding or the legality. Gayle Wilson said he does not know what SWAG is going to recommend, and the Board could delay this decision on roll carts until an ultimate decision is made. He said that is an issue the Board of County Commissioners would need to deal with and decide. He said staff is ready to implement and proceed or stand by and wait for further direction. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the manager has any guidance. Bonnie Hammersley said staff's assumption was that the group would come to some sort of agreement, and the goal was not to slow down the process as there are residents who are eager for this. She said if it is the will of the Board not to move forward, they will comply with that. Commissioner Jacobs said the members on the SWAG have more information and a sense of where this may go. He said the rest of the Board is not privy to this, and the goal is to get there with presenting the options for funding recycling. He said he is comfortable with doing whatever the Board of County Commissioners wants to do. Commissioner Rich said the group is heading in this direction anyway, and there are close to 7000 residents that want this service now. She noted that recycling is already being picked up in different bins. She is in favor of this proposal. Commissioner Rich noted that the carts in Wilmington N.C. are pink. Commissioner Pelissier agreed with Commissioner Rich. She said the cost of the carts is separate from the funding of the entire recycling program. She said this has already been done for the urban area, and now it needs to be done for the rural area. She is in support of moving ahead with this. Commissioner porosin asked Commissioner Jacobs and Commissioner Rich to give the Board a 5 minute summary of the progress of the SWAG to reassure them of where things are going and how their colleagues are communicating. Commissioner Rich said the group is getting close to being on the same page as far as funding recycling. She said the funding options were presented at their last meeting, and everyone is leaning between one or two options. She said there was also a letter from the General Assembly regarding the ability to charge for recycling, and it is not considered a fee. John Roberts said the new language adopted by the General Assembly states that Counties can use fees and revenue generated from existing facilities for other solid waste programs. He believes that this means something, and the common sense reading is that as