General contractor says “yes” to solid waste fee | Letter

As a general contractor, I make dozens of trips each year to the San Juan Island transfer station, hauling many tons of debris from construction projects. Smooth operation of my business often depends on this service. Proposition 2 will maintain our self-haul facility, and in my view, the $100 annual fee I will pay as a property owner is a small price to maintain this service. In fact, with lower tipping rates made possible by the parcel fee, I will pay significantly less for waste disposal. The cost/benefit analysis differs based each individual’s circumstances, but there are probably hundreds of small businesses in the County similarly situated to mine.

November 2, 2011 12:21 am

I have been a full-time resident of San Juan Island for eight years and a general contractor for 25 years. As a general contractor, I make dozens of trips each year to the San Juan Island transfer station, hauling many tons of debris from construction projects. Smooth operation of my business often depends on this service.

Proposition 2 will maintain our self-haul facility, and in my view, the $100 annual fee I will pay as a property owner is a small price to maintain this service. In fact, with lower tipping rates made possible by the parcel fee, I will pay significantly less for waste disposal. The cost/benefit analysis differs based each individual’s circumstances, but there are probably hundreds of small businesses in the county similarly situated to mine.

Without self-haul, I would have a couple of options. One would be to hire direct transportation to the Skagit facility. I do this on occasion, and while sometimes possible, it is currently far from convenient due to the lack of private haulers in business. Another option is to arrange for dumpster service on the job. I do this on some jobs, but there are many where the volume of debris does not warrant a dumpster, or there is not room to accommodate one. There has been talk of self-haul customers unloading their waste into packer trucks. This will not work for contractors, except with the smallest of loads; it will only serve homeowners who bring waste in cans.

I have heard many criticisms of the county’s past management of the solid waste program, and I think many are valid. I have talked to council members about this issue, and it has their full attention. Public Works has a new manager, and I bet solid waste will be at the top of his list. Yes, there have been management problems and wasted money in the past, but I think we can leave these behind, and move the program forward.

A parcel fee is a good way to pay for our solid waste facilities. It is obvious that funding for the program—and, in fact, our entire county government—has been overly dependent on a never-ending real estate sales and construction boom. Those days are over, and vital services cannot be funded by percentages of a shrinking pie. A parcel fee will get solid waste on a sound financial footing and away from dependence on large volumes of trash from construction. Curiously, with reduced tipping rates, the service will attract more construction waste, some of which is currently diverted off-island.

An unknown in all of this is whether or not service can actually be improved, rather than simply maintained.  Can we get longer hours, at least during summer months? Can we restore the tipping floor, which is critical for unloading large loads quickly? Can we restore metal recycling? Perhaps we can, if we make the program financially healthy.

Proposition 2 may not be perfect, but it looks like a big step in the right direction, and I hope you will join me in voting yes.

D. Meiland

San Juan Island