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04/29/25 01 PM: SWAC Recommends Tipping Fee Hike, Recycling Privatization

SWAC Recommends Tipping Fee Hike, Recycling Privatization

SWAC unanimously recommended increasing the pre-tax tipping fee from $165.23 to $180.23 per ton effective August 1, 2025, to address $3.7 million capital shortfall. Also approved privatizing the public recycling drop-off program effective April 1, 2026, saving $326,000 annual subsidy, with curbside options, education campaign, and low-income discounts planned amid upcoming EPR legislation. Votes forwarded to BOCC.

Tipping Fee Increase for Capital Needs

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:21:00.000–00:39:51.000 (PART 1)
  • Categories: budgeting, infrastructure, operations

Summary

Staff presented updated capital needs at $4.1 million (up from $3.6 million due to scale replacement refinements), against projected 2025 end-of-year capital fund balance of $453,000, creating a $3.7 million shortfall addressed by deferred maintenance. Recommendation was to increase the pre-tax per-ton tipping fee from $165.23 to $180.23 (post-tax from $171 to $187 with 3.6% tax and rounding), effective August 1, 2025, via resolution amending the fee schedule to fund capital repairs and a potential Public Works Board loan repayment. SWAC voted unanimously to recommend this resolution to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).

Key Discussion Points

  • Staff invoked Stein's Law, noting unsustainable deferred capital repairs opposing high level of service; Jefferson County offers more services (e.g., C&D debris, hazardous waste, artist residency) than King County despite fewer resources (9 vs. 517 staff, lower per-ton fee by $32).
  • King County tipping fee predicted to double by 2030; Jefferson households pay $136 less per household annually.
  • No changes to minimum weight threshold (220-240 lbs) or low-income discounts; increase supports capital without incentivizing excessive drop-offs.
  • Public concern raised by Tom Tears on agenda mismatch (capital funding vs. fee resolution) and lack of prior materials.
  • Heidi Eisenhower: Supports fee increase as "no-brainer" for maintenance to avoid closures.
  • Motion clarified as SWAC recommendation for resolution with capital surcharge effective August 1, 2025.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tears: Agenda listed "capital funding needs" but action is general fee increase/resolution; distinguishes operating from capital funds; special meeting cannot deviate; misleading without prior materials.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Draft fee resolution/ordinance referenced but not provided for analysis; includes fee schedule details confirming no minimum weight changes; staff noted delinquency in delivery to legal counsel (Phil Slami), potential material changes pending review.

Financials

  • Capital needs: $4.1 million total (6-year plan); 2025 fund balance: $453,000; shortfall: $3.7 million.
  • Tipping fee: Pre-tax increase $15/ton ($165.23 to $180.23); post-tax $171 to $187.
  • Recycling subsidy: $326,000/year (separate but contextually linked).
  • King County comparison: $32/ton higher; household contribution $136 more; 2025 revenue/household spread substantial.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • No alternatives discussed.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: SWAC recommends to BOCC adoption of resolution for capital surcharge on per-ton tipping fee effective August 1, 2025.
  • Vote: Unanimous (7 ayes: Heidi Eisenhower, Phil Slami, Tracy Grisman, others present; all SWAC members in room).
  • Next Steps:
  • Staff to finalize ordinance post-legal review.
  • Submit as consent agenda item to BOCC.
  • Implement August 1, 2025, if approved; revenue to repay potential Public Works Board loan.

Privatization of Recycling Program

Metadata

  • Time Range: 00:16:17.000–01:25:15.000 (PART 1, extensive discussion post-capital vote)
  • Categories: services, operations, contracts, budgeting

Summary

Staff recommended privatizing public recycling drop-off program effective April 1, 2026 (end of current Skookum contract), saving $326,000 annual subsidy from tipping fees amid new producer responsibility legislation (EPR, ~2030) shifting costs to producers. Waste Connections (Joey D) outlined curbside single-stream model (96-gallon bins, 51% participation in Clallam County vs. 17% here), processing at Port Angeles or Jefferson facility if leased, with low-income discounts via PUD vetting. SWAC voted to recommend privatization to BOCC after discussing education, access for remote/low-income residents, contamination, and city impacts; emphasis on multi-channel outreach campaign.

Key Discussion Points

  • Current program inefficient/expensive; privatization allows negotiation leverage with EPR Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO); no budgetary savings from EPR alone.
  • Joey D (Waste Connections): Subscription curbside (mirrors Clallam/Mason); handles remote access via alternate pickup sites; businesses get private carts; supports cleanups with bins/boxes; AI cameras for contamination letters; recycling $11/month.
  • Low-income: PUD notifies eligible for discounts; produce letter for verification; first-in-state UTC tariff discount proposed.
  • Education: Multi-modal campaign (flyers in PUD bills, Leader/PDN inserts, social media, emails, oops tags, videos); subcommittee interest; address wish-cycling, tourism, misinformation.
  • City of Port Townsend: Mandatory service; shift to carts, potential 5-year Waste Connections extension; glass cheaper in garbage currently.
  • Glass market challenges: No cost-effective long-term solution; EPR/bottle bill may help by 2030.
  • Heidi Eisenhower: Phase out slower (e.g., 2 years) via higher fee, but staff notes RFP/contract complications.
  • Steve King (Port Townsend rep): Abstains pending city council input; favors market correction for glass.
  • Public concerns: Tom Tears on materials/agenda; no free drop-off post-privatization.

Public Comments

  • Tom Tears (initial): Oppose post-scale recycling bins (worsens traffic); increase tipping fees to cover $300,000 subsidy; webcam for real-time traffic; support recycling/community preference over $400/year curbside garbage.
  • Tom Tears (capital-related, ties in): Agenda lacks background/resolution specifics.
  • Cammy (final): No packet materials for vote; note zero recycling bins at high school wearable art show.

Supporting Materials Referenced

Draft level-of-service ordinance referenced (e.g., low-income discounts, alternatives like closing Quillcene dropbox not offsetting costs); issue papers from prior March 26 meeting not reposted; not provided for analysis. Staff notes borrowed Mason County ordinance model.

Financials

  • Recycling subsidy: ~$326,000/year from tipping fees.
  • Curbside recycling: $11/month; Clallam 51% participation vs. Jefferson 17% (5,000 customers, 859 recycling).
  • EPR: Producers cover 90% incrementally (25-90% over years), reducing customer fees.
  • King County: 38 staff for RFPs/grants vs. Jefferson's fractional.

Alternatives & Amendments

  • Extend Skookum contract 1-2 years: Complicates RFP; problematic for vendor capital recovery.
  • Higher tipping fee to cover recycling ($203 like King County): Delay level-of-service ordinance; 5%+ increase atop $15; incentivizes curbside but burdens low-income.
  • Maintain drop-offs: Not feasible without fee hike; congestion persists (0.7 transactions/minute).
  • Heidi Eisenhower: Slower off-ramp (2 years) to 2030 EPR horizon.

Outcome, Vote, and Next Steps

  • Decision: SWAC recommends to BOCC privatization of recycling program effective April 1, 2026.
  • Vote: Passed (ayes including Tracy Grisman, Phil Slami, Joey D, Sierra Young; Steve King abstains; ~7 voters).
  • Next Steps:
  • Staff to present to BOCC.
  • Form education subcommittee (Heidi, Tracy, Amy, Al, Beyond Waste); multi-channel campaign 6-8 months pre-change.
  • Steve King to consult Port Townsend council.
  • Annual SWAC-BOCC workshop proposed.

Background Materials

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