Solid Waste Services Manager Scott Harper knows a thing or two about trash. “I love garbage,” he told the BOCC on Aug. 9, 2016.
John Locklear, president of Locklear & Associates, Inc. presented information about what has been happening in solid waste collection over the past year and what the County will need to consider for the future. He suggested creating a citizen’s advisory board within the next year so that information can be gathered and submitted to the BOCC before the current contract with Republic Services ends in December 2018.
Locklear stated individual meetings were held with five companies, including Republic. When asked what services the companies could provide, the response was, “We can do whatever you are willing to pay for.” This is where the citizen’s committee would be needed.
In order to compare services and cost, the companies were asked about options – number of days of service, holidays, complaints, automation, etc. Twenty-six counties were contacted and provided a survey. Nineteen counties responded and the information collected will help the advisory group.
The current solid waste ordinance and contracts for residential collection and recycling were reviewed, and Locklear’s team has made suggestions. Outsourcing the recycling may be more cost-effective for the county, and a Request for Proposal (RFP) is being considered.
Options and improvements to consider include a cart based system (where the waste company provides a specific trash can), single stream recycling (with the same company providing both recycling and trash pickup), how frequently different items are collected (yard trash, garbage, recycling), and redistricting.
Commissioner Diane Rowden offered to participate on the citizen’s advisory board. Commissioner Wayne Dukes suggested having representatives from many different living styles, as some communities are gated, some have older residents, etc. Chairman Jim Adkins suggested having positions available for incoming commissioners. He recommended having lots of meetings.
The BOCC agreed to the proposed “Next Step” of creating a Citizen’s Advisory Board which will determine the direction of the services the county will need once the Republic Services contract ends in 2018. Commissioner Nick Nicholson recommended that those on this board should not be sitting on any other board, but should come from people from all sections of the county.