Minutes 02-16-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 Parcels Bonnie Hammersley said after she presented this to the SWAG, they suggested she talk to all of the Town Managers about her recommended options. Bonnie Hammersley said staff is putting together a communications plan about this proposed fee increase. Commissioner Price said the report discussed the possibility of reducing hours, and asked if the Manager's schedule takes that into effect. Bonnie Hammersley said her plan does not cut back hours, but she recommended looking at this each year. Commissioner McKee asked if there was consideration given to increasing the general fund contribution to $2.5 million or more, in order to soften the first year blow. Bonnie Hammersley said this consideration was not given, and available funds would need to be identified in the general fund. Commissioner McKee said he asked this question because if the general fund appropriation was increased, it would not change the draw off of the fund balance, but it would allow the first year increase to be a bit less dramatic. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the parcels are solely residential. Bonnie Hammersley said this includes developed and individual parcels. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the University of North Carolina (UNC) pays its fair share. Bonnie Hammersley said UNC has its own system, and staff is working closely with the University. Commissioner Jacobs said non-profits have to pay the fee too. Commissioner Jacobs asked if the Manager has a plan to pay back the fund for the County's portion of the Greene Tract. Bonnie Hammersley said the purchase of the Greene Tract from Solid Waste was already completed, and is in this year's activities; and at year-end 2016-17, this will be completed. She said this is not reflected in the numbers at this time, but it will be at year-end. Commissioner Jacobs asked if this would potentially affect the point made by Commissioner McKee. Bonnie Hammersley said yes, depending on how the year ends. She said this will be more clear as the budget process continues. Commissioner Burroughs asked if the manner in which other governments fit into this could be explained. Bonnie Hammersley said staff is working on an interlocal agreement. She said the County cannot charge the towns unless this fee is agreed to, and staff is working closely with the Towns on this issue. She said the SWAG has been very helpful, and she expects this to be resolved before the beginning of the next fiscal year. Commissioner Burroughs clarified that these options are being presented to the Towns. Bonnie Hammersley said yes, that she is meeting with the Managers on this, and has also offered to present at town meetings. Commissioner Burroughs recalled this issue being tricky in the past. Commissioner Jacobs said the closure of the landfill raised a lot of resentment, and in the course of talking about the interlocal agreement the County made sure that the Towns were informed in plenty of time, so that the fees could be worked into the various budgets. He said some of the attitudes on the SWAG have become more collaborative, which has made this process easier.