Minutes 12-09-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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long as the County uses the revenues generated by existing facilities for other solid waste programs, it is abiding by this statutory language. Commissioner Jacobs said, based on that opinion, there were a few things that are different. He said one difference is that undeveloped properties will not be assessed as part of an availability fee. John Roberts said that is correct; fees cannot be assessed against undeveloped properties. He said the new language expanded on existing language, which only applies to developed properties. He said this is because undeveloped properties do not generate municipal solid waste. Commissioner Jacobs said there is a trade-off between different imperatives and equities. He said some people on the SWAG felt that there should be no general fund revenues in this; and then there were some Board members who felt general funds were the most equitable way, so it was a trade off. He said four different funding possibilities were presented, and then all of the staffs were sent off to discuss this and then come back with the trade offs. For example, he said there was discussion about whether there was still a need for drop off bins, and data was presented to show that these were still valuable. He said he is comfortable, but he wants to make sure their colleagues are not being left out. Commissioner Rich said it is encouraging that UNC and UNC Healthcare are at the table and seem interested in partnering with the governmental entities. Commissioner Price said she is all for recycling, but she admits that she is uncomfortable with this proposal. She said residents have not seen this, and she is not even sure what service area is being discussed. She said only half of the residents that received the survey responded, and there are still many people that are beyond the service area. She said many people are still unsure how the service is going to be paid for. Gayle Wilson said the service area is the same area that the County has had for years and the respondents came from throughout that area. He believes demand will increase in the service area once the carts are being used. Gayle Wilson said he has not taken any questions about the funding and the question was not raised in any of the surveys that he has seen. Commissioner Price asked how the fee works. Gayle Wilson said there are four options that SWAG will consider for funding. He said everyone receiving the service will pay something, but the details are under discussion. He said it is likely to look something like the previous tiered version. Commissioner Price said there are two issues here: 1) Buying the roll carts and issuing them to residents that want them; and 2) determining how to pay for these. Gayle Wilson said that is correct, as well as determining how to pay for all of the other services and programs. He said this service will not be paid for under any of the options being discussed. Chair McKee said he agrees with Commissioner Jacobs concerns about putting the cart before the horse, because there are still unanswered questions about the long term plan. He understands the service area, and he does not argue with the demand, but he is concerned with the lack of a long term plan. He questioned how and if the service area will be expanded countywide. He said there is also discussion about spending money to put in recycling compactors at Eubanks Road. He said if curbside is being expanded, he wonders why the money is being spent on the compactors. He said it seems that two systems are being run. Commissioner McKee said there is also the issue of how to pay for this, and the Board has not made that decision. He said the plan is good, and the SWAG is working hard to