5.7. SR 11-21-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e conroy-srlbz Page 2 Because very few structures are needed in association with a landfill, there is very little property tax benefit to the City for having this facility in the City. Further, the refuse derived fuel processing plant and the power plant that burns that fuel have large portions of their facilities classified as recycling and pollution control related, and therefore are non-taxable. The City suffers the negative connotations of having these facilities without the ability to collect sufficient tax revenues from them to offset the negative effects they bring such as littered roadside ditches, extra truck traffic, above normal wear on roads, and an overall negative image to the City. We feel that it is important that part of the surcharge monies the City collects from the Elk River Landfill continue to be allowed to offset the negative affects of these facilities. 3. USE OF LANDFILL SURCHARGE MONIES NOT ALLOTTED TO SOLID WASTE ACTIVITIES Since existing State statute allows 75% of the surcharge monies collected from the Elk River Landfill to go to general fund purposes, the City of Elk River has obligated these monies to good uses, helping to offset the negative image created by this facility. The most notable of these uses are aid to our Street Department for repair and maintenance of roads damaged due to the high volume of garbage truck traffic, partial funding of the Elk River City Hall and Police Station, and assistance in financing an expansion to our Public Library. Further, the City is concerned with a trend from the State and Federal levels of government, to mandate new environmental programs on the local units of government without providing adequate assistance to help fund these additional programs. Some of these new programs include the Wetland Conservation Act, Shoreland Management, Floodplain Management, and Recycling. Not all of these are solid waste issues, but they are all environmental issues that require City resources. Therefore, we feel that it is logical and appropriate that some portion of the surcharge monies collected from the Elk River Landfill, go back into the general fund to aid in accomplishing non-environmental activities as currently allowed by law.