Minutes 02-16-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 Commissioner McKee said he had issues with the fee because of its impact on low- income residents, and asked if ways to lessen the impact on low-income residents, such as those in mobile home parks, has been discussed. Bonnie Hammersley said staff has looked at the mobile home parks, and the fees that park owners assess to renter is unknown, making it difficult to come up with a solution. She said those who own their mobile homes do not receive tax notices. She said staff is looking at best practices from other counties, and is working to try and find a suitable solution. Chair Dorosin referred to the closure liability and the Solid Waste fund, and asked if there is any requirement that these two be related. He said the amount that is in the Solid Waste fund is not necessarily linked to the $6 million closure liability. Bonnie Hammersley said no and there is no state mandate for what you have to have. She said the $6 million liability is based on what it would take if there were a catastrophic event. Chair Dorosin asked if there is another pot of money, other than the fund balance, for closure liability. Bonnie Hammersley said there is the $6.5 assigned within the balance sheet for that purpose. She said the available fund balance is also on the balance sheet and is unassigned. Chair Dorosin clarified that there is $6.5 million set aside to cover the potential closure of the landfill, and if the balance fund were to be dipped into to cover this shortfall, the $6.5 million would not be affected. Bonnie Hammersley said that is correct, and the $6.5 million is separate from the $4.4 million. Chair Dorosin echoed Commissioner McKee's concern about this fee and its affect on low-income residents, and he hoped to find a solution for this. He said he would like to reduce the County's reliance on fees, as stated by Commissioner McKee. Chair Dorosin said the Board has looked at various potential revenue sources for the closed landfill, and the consensus seems to be that nothing can be done with it. He said he would like to keep working on this and encouraged creativity. Commissioner Rich thanked all who come to the SWAG meetings. Chair Dorosin thanked Commissioner Jacobs and Commissioner Rich for their service on this committee. Commissioner Jacobs thanked the Manager for her work on this committee. Commissioner Price asked if the way in which apartments will be affected by this fee could be outlined. Gayle Wilson said each apartment unit is assessed a fee, for which the owner of the building is responsible to pay. Commissioner Price requested that any public outreach and education on this topic should include information about the tax exemption for this fee. She said many people do not know about this. Commissioner Marcoplos said it may be worthwhile to look at other counties that do not have fees, but are still high performing. Commissioner Marcoplos said landfills take about 30 years to settle. Gayle Wilson said it may take longer, but federal law says 30 years post closure maintenance and monitoring. Commissioner Marcoplos said there is solar technology that can be overlaid on a landfill prior to 30 years. Gayle Wilson said this is possible depending on the degree of subsidence and settling of the landfill. He said if it is stabilized enough, it is possible.