6.5. SR 10-08-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Elk REQUEST FOR ACTION River TO ITEM NUMBER Mayor and City Council 6.5 AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY Work Session October 8, 2012 Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By Recycling Rebate Program Tim Simon, Finance Director REVIEWED BY Cal Portner, City Administrator ACTION REQUESTED Review and discuss discontinuation of the Recycling Rebate Program. BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION On November 12, 2002, staff recommended that the Council offer a$15 recycling rebate to residents effective January 1, 2003,with checks mailed to participants in January 2004. The purpose of the rebate was to increase recycling in the community. The incentive did increase the amount of materials recycled. To get the rebate,residents completed an application each year stating that they would recycle at least four items throughout the year. The applications were available at city hall, the library, and through utility bills. This practice has continued since this time with a few changes. In 2005, the rebate amount increased to $25. In 2009, the Council approved an additional$40 rebate for residents participating in the organics and curbside recycling program along with the $25 to those who only participate in the curbside recycling program. Our current recycling rates have appeared to plateau. The switch to single-stream recycling should make it easier for residents to recycle and an incentive should no longer be needed. Studies have shown that the switch to single-stream recycling increases recycling rates. Staff proposes to utilize the funds to offset future increases to the residential recycling program through the 10-year contract cycle. The new contract increases the recycling rate in 2013 and in 2018. The percentage of residents receiving the rebate averaged 7% of the 7,600 residents who are part of the organized collection program. Using the funds to offset future costs would be a better use of the money and benefit all residents versus the 7%who receive the rebate. The rebate amount averaged $13,000 per year. The price for recycling will increase by approximately$20,000 in 2013 and then another$20,000 in 2018. By using the rebate money to cover the increased recycling rate,residents would not see an increase in their recycling rate throughout this 10-year contract. FINANCIAL IMPACT Since 2003, $159,075 has been spent on issuing recycling rebates. Pv0WIAED 9i N:APublic Bodies\City Council\Council RCA\Agenda Packet\10-08-2012\Recycling Rebate-oct 8.docx U RE