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| Talkin' Trash: A Clean Community Starts with Service -- Not Fees
The county said they weren't raising taxes -- so we were surprised to learn that they are planning to introduce a third property tax fee (called a "4R fee") for Solid Waste Convenience Centers. We were even more surprised to learn that the fee covers a multi-million dollar program to pave the centers and add compactors - but not address illegal dumping, crowds, and other problems that were created when the hours were cut in 2009. The new fee will cost county households $40 per year; town households $20 per year.
Orange County Voice, the Rogers Eubanks Neighborhood Association (RENA/CEER) and other community groups are joining forces to assure that the taxes are used to keep our communities clean and healthy. Its not just the landfill adjacent to the Rogers Road Community - its all the illegal dumping that started when the county cut Thursdays, Sundays, and other hours that made our convenience centers convenient. Plus there's investments planned in an infrastructure that's like to become obsolete after the landfill closes.
So please join us is seeking transparency in spending and a vision for the future before the county asks for fees or funding for trash or recycling services. Some of our questions include: How will the county will handle trash and recycling after the landfill closes? How will our recycling, hauling and other operations change if we pursue a gasifcation, pelletizing or other WTE solution? Should the county continue to spend $4 million a year on recycling - especially given the sharp decline in recycling markets and economics? Are there options to use private companies for improved service or lower cost ? What is the state of the county's fund balances - and are they sufficient to fund the landfill closing, post closing and remediation for the historic Rogers Road community?
As a first step, we are asking the county to defer plans for new fees and investments in convenience centers, until they have answered these important questions and until we are confident that other more critical priorities - especially schools, economic development, rural fire departments and emergency services are funded. In the short term, we are also asking that convenience centers hours - especially Sundays -- be restored to improve service and discourage illegal dumping.
Act Now!
An immediate action you can take is to sign our petition opposing the new property tax fee and demanding the immediate restoration of waste convenience center hours. Click here for the online petition (www.ipetitions.com/petition/swccfees); click here for a printable version (requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader®).
Read More about this important issue from Orange County Voice!
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