Action 14.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Solid Waste
- Meeting Date:
- 03/27/2018
- Title:
- Free Dump Day Program changes
- Submitted By:
- Kim Lemons, Board of Supervisors
- Department:
- Board of Supervisors
Presentation:
No A/V Presentation
Recommendation:
Document Signatures:
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Marty Haverty
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Community Development Director
Mandated Function?:
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Approve changes to the Free Dump Day program and Official Certificate mailing, effective May 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019.
Background:
The Rate Review and Advisory Board is recommending that the Board of Supervisors approve a change to the method of service delivery for Free Dump Days. The RRAB voted unanimously that a “voucher” system be employed where each resident would be given a voucher that allows them to dispose of one load of trash per year at no cost to the resident.
The current mode of delivering the “Free Dump” day to residents is to designate one day per year at each station that residents could come to the station and dispose of their waste at no cost. This program has become very popular in each political subdivision as well as rural areas, as we have witnessed up to 500 vehicles using the facility on their designated day.
The popularity of the program has led to several issues that need to be addressed. The root cause of the problem reveals site congestion as being the key issue; which creates severe safety issues for both the public and employees, operational burdens on the system resulting in several weeks to catch up with the flow of trash, and costs that are difficult to measure resulting in an excessive overtime burden on the Solid Waste System.
This initiative intends to alleviate the congestion by allowing each resident to choose the day that they dispose of one load per year at no cost. The thought is that the residents choose the day convenient for them which spreads the use of the free day out and alleviates the congestion. In theory, the voucher system will become an individual homeowner event as opposed to a community event.
Note: At a 2.13.18 Work Session with the Board of Supervisors the voucher was updated to a postcard sized Certificate that would be mailed out to residents through the Treasurer’s Department. The Free Dump Official Certificate tagline is “One Trip, One Ton, One Time”.
Funds for this program have been budgeted into our disposal line items related to each cost center for the volume of projected material received. In the past this has always been an estimate, with this change we will be able to track incoming volumes and assign costs based on performance of the new initiative. County Treasurer, Cathy Traywick has volunteered to cover the costs of production of the certificates and mailing. Estimated at $20,000. With the donation from the Treasurer we are not projecting any increase in costs.
The current mode of delivering the “Free Dump” day to residents is to designate one day per year at each station that residents could come to the station and dispose of their waste at no cost. This program has become very popular in each political subdivision as well as rural areas, as we have witnessed up to 500 vehicles using the facility on their designated day.
The popularity of the program has led to several issues that need to be addressed. The root cause of the problem reveals site congestion as being the key issue; which creates severe safety issues for both the public and employees, operational burdens on the system resulting in several weeks to catch up with the flow of trash, and costs that are difficult to measure resulting in an excessive overtime burden on the Solid Waste System.
This initiative intends to alleviate the congestion by allowing each resident to choose the day that they dispose of one load per year at no cost. The thought is that the residents choose the day convenient for them which spreads the use of the free day out and alleviates the congestion. In theory, the voucher system will become an individual homeowner event as opposed to a community event.
Note: At a 2.13.18 Work Session with the Board of Supervisors the voucher was updated to a postcard sized Certificate that would be mailed out to residents through the Treasurer’s Department. The Free Dump Official Certificate tagline is “One Trip, One Ton, One Time”.
Funds for this program have been budgeted into our disposal line items related to each cost center for the volume of projected material received. In the past this has always been an estimate, with this change we will be able to track incoming volumes and assign costs based on performance of the new initiative. County Treasurer, Cathy Traywick has volunteered to cover the costs of production of the certificates and mailing. Estimated at $20,000. With the donation from the Treasurer we are not projecting any increase in costs.
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
The Department will collaborate and work with the PIO in developing and disseminating material and information to residents detailing the new initiative. This information will revolve around the tagline and inform residents of the upcoming mailing and how to use the certificate.
The Solid Waste Department will provide an electronic version of the Official Certificate, “One Trip, One Ton, One Time” to the Treasurer’s Department for bulk mailing.
The Department will train staff prior to the mailing and ensure that customer service is optimized, and their needs are met through the program.
The Solid Waste Department will provide an electronic version of the Official Certificate, “One Trip, One Ton, One Time” to the Treasurer’s Department for bulk mailing.
The Department will train staff prior to the mailing and ensure that customer service is optimized, and their needs are met through the program.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The Free Dump Day program will not be changed and the issues described in the background of this item will continue.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
See Department’s Next Steps.