Orcas Town Hall Meeting 10/20/11

Overview of the ballot measure History of why we are in this position Overview of Plan A Overview of Plan B How much will you pay? Risks/Advantages

Authorizes a solid waste user charge for a period of 15 years upon developed real property. Establishes a charge of $100 per year for a single family residence, vacation rental or unit in a multi-household building. A fee of $150 for homes with an ADU or a bed and breakfast. A fee of $75 for each condominium. Commercial fees based on $10 or $20 per 100 square feet with a minimum $200 fee.

Existing system funded entirely through tipping fees and excise taxes based on volume of garbage processed through the system. Existing system has high operating and capital costs associated with developing and maintaining 3 facilities. Volumes have declined 39% since 2008 resulting in a 32% reduction in revenue despite higher tipping fees.

Facilities

Service Delivery Methods

Retain facilities on 3 largest islands Funding for new or renovated facility on San Juan Funding for basic improvements to Orcas/Lopez Facilities operated by County, Private or Non-profit

Reuse Facilities remain as today with some possible expansion of hours of operation User charge supplements tipping fees Some services restored to outer islands

Route collected services will continue Self haul services will continue

New parcel based user fee Self haul tipping fees reduced approximately 44% over the next 2 years Tipping fees for SJS reduced approximately 25% over the next 2 years Recycling fees reduced approximately 40% over next 2 years No minimum fee, all cans at same rate Gate fee (est. $5) will be established

Facilities

Service Delivery Methods

No longer operated by County Predominately route collected system inc. recycling County facilities made available for private enterprise to provide self haul service

The Exchange allowed to continue operations at County facility Fee structure for all services is matched with the cost of delivering that service (recycling, garbage, self haul, route collected)

No parcel based user charge Route collection rates will likely drop ~15% Route collection recycling rates ~ 75% of garbage rates (~6.00 per can) Self haul rates estimated at ~$8.25 per can of garbage and ~$5.60 per can of recycling assuming no change from self haul to route collected Excise tax continues to pay for historical, costs of monitoring landfill, litter/other programs

Plan A Primarily Economic Risks

Estimates for capital requirements for San Juan are based on preliminary engineering study State requirements for maintaining facilities continues to be more expensive Can we successfully manage operating costs growth? If waste volumes stay at current levels system, long term future is tenuous Commercial rate structure is extremely expensive for many of our small businesses already struggling We are pioneers of a solid waste user charge in Washington State. If successfully challenged it will pose difficulties.

Plan B Primarily Operational/Vision Risks

Placing high dependence on a single private entity who will only provide services if profitable Places solid waste focus on collecting and transporting solid waste off the island, with minimal maintenance of facilities Leaves no facilities for collecting and storing waste in the event of loss of transportation due to an event. Lack of full facilities restricts our ability to look at solid waste more holistically, expansion into composting, recycling construction debris, etc. Will reuse (The Exchange) have same success with less self haul customers?