by Heather Spaulding

Journal reporter

(Editor’s note: The original story incorrectly stated that the solid waste debt was not paid off in full and that the total was $74,00.)

During their Dec. 9 meeting, the San Juan County Council voted to decrease the solid waste tax by 1.5 percent on Orcas and San Juan.

A slow tax decrease was part of the original 2012 solid waste financing plan, as the county worked its way out of debt.

Three years ago, some might recall, solid waste operations hit crises mode after tests showed the transfer station on San Juan Island was in need of work. After years of multiple studies and highly controversial proposals to move the transfer station from Sutton Road, the county came to a realization that the trash situation was seriously in the red, by approximately $100,000.

Solid waste staff was forced to reevaluate their strategy. After countless meetings and input from the public two choices emerged before the voters. One option kept things mostly the same, the other included creating essentially three different solid waste entities; one for San Juan Island, another for Orcas, and a third for Lopez. San Juan and Orcas Islands became privatized, while the Lopez station became a nonprofit. To assist paying off the debt, the solid waste tax was raised, with the idea that it would decrease as the debt was paid off. Voters approved the more complex plan.

As of today, the entire debt, $740,000, has been paid off.

“It was important to us that the public started to see some relief,” Councilman Rick Hughes said, and so the first reduction of 1.5 percent begins. He also wanted to make sure people understood that Lopez Island residents will not be impacted, however, as their nonprofit facility was not part of the original tax increase.

The debt payoff is about on schedule, although some of the county bonds have been paid off sooner than expected.

“Going forward, I would like to see us focus on hazardous waste,” Hughes added.

Hazardous items includes paints, aerosols, adhesives, chemical products, antifreeze and contaminated motor oil, just to name a few items. Currently San Juan County has very infrequent hazardous waste collection, approximately once a year.

The San Juan County Council has kept their promise. Whether you still bring your trash to transfer station, or have your trash picked up, you should be able to feel the impacts of this tax decrease beginning Jan. 1.

By Heather Spaulding

Journal reporter