The County Council has spoken, and a ballot initiative will be presented to the voters this fall  for a long term parcel fee to raise money for the county solid waste program.

Citing a large accumulated “deficit” and a “must do” approach, you will be asked to approve the new fee, or fall back to the “only other option” the council says it will consider, a curbside pickup, which is unworkable for many island residents.

What the council hasn’t told you is that county records show failure to manage the solid waste program in keeping with practices of neighboring counties, top-heavy $200,000  “Administrative Costs,” and still the highest overall cost of garbage service in the state.

The only rational “transparent” method of funding solid waste disposal is the near nationwide practice of non-tax supported “Pay-as-you-throw” economics, where those using the disposal system pay the actual costs of disposal at the drop-off point. This provides the incentive of cost minimization, recycling, and does not burden homeowners without regard to their generation of trash.

What to do?  The “accumulated deficit” can be retired in a single year by a one-time tax or fee lower than what the ordinance will charge each year for its fifteen-year life.

Reduced cost operating options exist for taking solid waste operation completely out of county hands, as done in Whatcom County, or by maintaining county involvement with realistic management and bare-bones operating costs in accordance with other counties. Economies are achievable.

Vote “NO” on the parcel fee – No new long term fees or taxes – and call for re-evaluation and competent management of the program.

Frank Stratton, Civil & Environmental Engineer

Orcas Island