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to understand the value of taking care of the existing waste as a whole as well as individually. <br /> She said the flat fee says that we are going to take care of recycling together as a County. <br /> Commissioner Burroughs said she has become increasingly focused on the $9 <br /> difference between option 1 and option 2. She thinks of this $9 and the constituency, and this <br /> amount could be a struggle for some people. She said she wants to work together to help <br /> struggling homeowners. She said it is important to focus on what that $9 means and to whom <br /> it means something. <br /> Mayor Kleinschmidt said these are all good responses, and it is important to improve <br /> recycling capabilities countywide, but he does not want to miss an important aspect of this <br /> decision. He said both options provide for the increased curbside recycling, and neither option <br /> creates a barrier for people because of where they live. He said a lot of this comes down to <br /> solid waste convenience centers, and these centers provide a broader service than just <br /> recycling. He said the primary use of these centers is the disposal of municipal solid waste. He <br /> said the residents of the towns pay a portion, through their taxes, for the disposal of their <br /> household waste. He said Chapel Hill is satisfied with 35 percent of the fee supporting the <br /> SWCC, because this moves toward the mindset of being in it together. <br /> Mayor Kleinschmidt said if people believe there is a barrier related to option 1, he would <br /> like to hear that articulated, because he does not understand what that is. <br /> Commissioner Rich said there are options for people who can't afford these fees. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said Orange County is currently assisting 700 households. <br /> Commissioner Rich gave an example of the Rogers Road area where one side of the <br /> street would pay one fee and the other side another fee. She said this is a picture of how <br /> equity does not always work out. She said this same scenario happened with the roll carts and <br /> this, along with the discussions of the SWAG is part of what convinced her to go with the flat <br /> fee. <br /> Commissioner Rich said a decision does not have to be made tonight. <br /> Chair McKee said this will be a discussion tonight and then it will be taken back to their <br /> respective boards for final decisions. He said a decision will need to be made within a timeline <br /> that adheres to the budgets moving forward. <br /> Town Commissioner Ferguson said the situation in Hillsborough is similar to the Rogers <br /> Road situation, but there are neighbors with lots beside each other that have different fees. <br /> She said the $22 difference is greater than the $9 savings. She said the per capita income <br /> tends to be lower in the County. She said we are in this together and this difference does <br /> create a barrier and an artificial us versus them mentality. <br /> Council Member Bell said there are many times where it is clear that we are not all in <br /> this together. She said in the end, this may be a conversation about supporting a unified <br /> recycling service. She said the town pays more taxes and then certain things are harder and <br /> easier when you live in the County. She said neither of these options is onerous, and they are <br /> divided by the thinnest of lines. She said the question is who will be the unifying voice. She <br /> said it is a good idea to use option 1 for a year to see how it works, and it is easier to move <br /> from a two tier system to a one tier system if changes are necessary. She said there is a <br /> larger conversation to have about supporting one another and being in this together. <br /> Town Council Member Palmer said the trash problem needs to be solved long term. <br /> She said this is taking pieces of huge environmental and social justice issues and trying to <br /> figure out how to make progress. She said her neighbors in the County understand the <br /> differences associated with living there. She said if there is any confusion, people can be <br /> educated about this. <br /> She said most of the people in Chapel Hill who would struggle to pay for the fee would <br /> not be among the 700 people who apply for assistance. She said most of these people are <br />