2020-06-24 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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5.c. Continued discussion on possible funding mechanisms for the Solid Waste Division to improve the quality of services. Ms. Adams said the Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan had several points of discussion for possible funding. However, since the plan is not yet approved, there may not be much to talk about. A problem is that funding is buried in property tax, so it is not visible, and one recommendation is to pull it out of there. Other options they looked at is pay as you throw, curbside collection, or even collecting fees for materials disposed of at the transfer stations. This is a complex subject. Director Kucharski said the Solid Waste Division’s budget is about $38 million, with about half of it coming from the General Fund and half from fees. It bothers him they are not paying their own way. They are looking at different mechanisms, such as point-of-sale fees for white goods and electronics, used motor oil fees, and paint disposal fees. They are looking at bringing money into a separate funding source, but it is difficult to plan on charging more during the pandemic, when many people have lost jobs. Making recycling a self-sustainable activity needs to be looked at, because right now it is just a hole money gets put into. The county is not getting any functional fiscal return on recycling. It would make sense for recycling to be a self-funding portion of the budget, and getting off the General Fund would give them more latitude and make them less susceptible to changes in the economic condition. Regarding the Solid Waste Management Plan, they are hoping to send the final to the County Council by August. Further discussion was held on point-of-sale fees and exploring the possibility of setting up a fund for these fees, starting with electronics and appliances. Director Kucharski said it would need to be approved by the County Council, and a lot more study needs to be done on it first. The first step is to have the concept itself approved. There is also the administration issue of the accounting system that would be needed to manage it and ensure the correct payments are made. Commissioner Adams said anything can be done if there is enough money and expertise. The most feasible targets should be looked at for setting up a separate fee system, and the EMC can try to nudge the Council to develop information for the public on why they will need to start paying fees. 5.d. Continued discussion on the recommendations in the draft 2019 Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan Update. Chair Pequeño said that as it was close to noon, this item and 6.a. should be pushed to the next agenda. Motion, second, and vote: Commissioner Adams moved to push agenda item 5.d. to the next agenda, Commissioner Gaffney seconded the motion, and all commissioners voted aye. 12