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'ity of <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br /> TO: <br />iver <br /> <br />COUNTY BOARD <br /> <br />CITY OF ELK RIVER <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />SEPTEMBER 4, 1996 <br /> <br />SUBJECT: PROPOSED SERVICE CHARGE ON <br /> SOLID WASTE <br /> <br />The Elk River City Council commends the Sherburne County Board for <br />looking ahead in an effort to avoid a default on its contractual agreement <br />with the NRG RDF plant. However, Elk River is concerned with the <br />proposed service charge on residential and business solid waste. <br /> <br />This concern is especially true for Elk River's residential waste, which is <br />already tied into going to the RDF plant through the City's organized <br />collection. For at least Elk River's residential waste it has the appearance of <br />a tax without a purpose. The City would like to be assured that all other <br />options have been thoroughly explored prior to embarking on an additional <br />fee its residents must bear. <br /> <br />Is the service charge needed at this time? It is the City's understanding <br />that only about 8% of Sherburne County's waste is currently not going to <br />the RDF Plant and the contractual agreements are being met. <br /> <br />Is a County franchise on waste disposal an impossibility? The City <br />understands that with Sherburne County's large and in many areas <br />sparsely inhabited land base, organized collection would be difficult. <br />However, perhaps the County could work through the Cities to accomplish <br />this in the incorporated areas and future growth would ensure the <br />tonnage requirements were being delivered to the RDF plant. <br /> <br />Has supplementing the proposed service charge with landfill abatement <br />funds been exhausted? Couldn't the approximately $500,000 of annual <br />landfill abatement funds the County receives be used to off-set the service <br />charge. <br /> <br />· Perhaps a combination of these measures is the right answer. <br /> <br />The City of Elk River does not presume to know how to deal with this issue <br />better than the County Board, but it is concerned with additional taxes. The <br />Elk River City Council would like to be assure the proposed service charge is <br />the right and necessary next step. Elk River is requesting that at least its <br />residential waste be exempted from the proposed service charge. <br /> <br /> s:\b&z\steverXsercharg.doc <br />13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 <br /> <br /> <br />