A RESOLUTION approving the proposed solid waste budget as well as a resolution pertaining to Solid Waste fees for the fiscal year 2016-2017 was discussed at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on June 21st. Planning Director Tim Beals said the finance committee spent a lot of time looking at this. He stated the solid waste budget was upside down due to specific reasons. The first reason being $27,000 in delinquent taxes on the Loyalton Mobile Home Park. He felt the bleeding needed to stop and demand the State of California to take a position on the mobile home park. Beals said the second issue was the imposition of the requirements being placed on the County by the Regional Board, which included methane vents and asking for a pilot study for additional vents and monitoring after the landfill closure. Beals found it very frustrating that there was no give with this agency. Beals stated there had been a sizeable reserve set aside, but was used with the Loyalton Hotel fire and the County still hasn’t been reimbursed the $41,836.27 owed by the Carroll family. Beals said the closure fund is the biggest ticket item they are dealing with. CalRecycle calculates the amount of the closure fund based on the number of waste taken in a calendar year to $139,575. Now in a different fiscal year, CalRecycle will look at the amount of waste generated this year for another amount due prior to the proposed closure date of October 2017. The figures look to be $160,000. They are at a budget deficit of $200,000. Beals felt there were only two choices; increase the solid waste fee or reduce operations.
Supervisor Scott Schlefstein asked if the County would be in this predicament next year. Beals felt if the County went with option A to increase solid waste fees to $23.38/yard from $19.20/yard it should get them through the closure. Auditor Van Maddox said there were too many unknowns that they don’t have the answer for. Supervisor Peter Huebner asked why his district should pay for the Carroll’s and the mobile home park, adding it wasn’t fair. Supervisor Jim Beard responded asking why should his district that wasn’t involved in the fire, pay. Supervisor Paul Roen stated it is what it is. Schlefstein said it’s not fair, but society is always paying for their fellow man’s downfalls. Gate fees were brought up and Beals said at the Graeagle transfer station for a compact pickup, fees would be $30 for one time. He stated Sierra County would still be the cheapest in the state even with the increase in fees. Schleftstein felt there was no other option except to raise it. Roen was concerned about what to do long term, and hoped it wouldn’t go up any further. Maddox said there would be some long term costs. Chairman Lee Adams said the County bought this thing 40 years ago and can’t give it back and felt it was still a pretty good deal looking at Portola. Roen made the motion to go with option B 22.99/yard, which would be an annual fee of $413. Schlefstein felt option A would help them to not have to do this again next year, stating it’s only a $7 difference in the annual fee of $420. Roen rescinded the motion and Scott made the motion for Option A. Motion passed with Beard voting no. $23.38/yard, which would be an annual fee of $420. Schlefstein defended his motion stating it was probable that this increase could take them past the next couple years. Adams felt this was the honest way to deal with this budget, adding he was all ears for alternatives, but didn’t see any.
Supervisor Scott Schlefstein asked if the County would be in this predicament next year. Beals felt if the County went with option A to increase solid waste fees to $23.38/yard from $19.20/yard it should get them through the closure. Auditor Van Maddox said there were too many unknowns that they don’t have the answer for. Supervisor Peter Huebner asked why his district should pay for the Carroll’s and the mobile home park, adding it wasn’t fair. Supervisor Jim Beard responded asking why should his district that wasn’t involved in the fire, pay. Supervisor Paul Roen stated it is what it is. Schlefstein said it’s not fair, but society is always paying for their fellow man’s downfalls. Gate fees were brought up and Beals said at the Graeagle transfer station for a compact pickup, fees would be $30 for one time. He stated Sierra County would still be the cheapest in the state even with the increase in fees. Schleftstein felt there was no other option except to raise it. Roen was concerned about what to do long term, and hoped it wouldn’t go up any further. Maddox said there would be some long term costs. Chairman Lee Adams said the County bought this thing 40 years ago and can’t give it back and felt it was still a pretty good deal looking at Portola. Roen made the motion to go with option B 22.99/yard, which would be an annual fee of $413. Schlefstein felt option A would help them to not have to do this again next year, stating it’s only a $7 difference in the annual fee of $420. Roen rescinded the motion and Scott made the motion for Option A. Motion passed with Beard voting no. $23.38/yard, which would be an annual fee of $420. Schlefstein defended his motion stating it was probable that this increase could take them past the next couple years. Adams felt this was the honest way to deal with this budget, adding he was all ears for alternatives, but didn’t see any.
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