HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-23-2011 - 5gORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: August 23, 2011
Action Agenda
Item No. 5_~C, _
SUBJECT: Extending the Financial Assistance Program for Solid Waste Fees
DEPARTMENT: Tax Administration PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jenkins S. Crayton, 919-245-2735
PURPOSE: To approve the extension of the Solid Waste Fee Assistance Program.
BACKGROUND: In fiscal year 2004-2005, the Board of County Commissioners established
Orange County's 3R Program and accompanying fees. Recognizing that payment of the 3R Fee
might be a financial burden for some taxpayers, the Board agreed to establish an assistance
program to aid those individuals in paying their 3R Fee. At the November 15, 2007 Board of
Commissioners meeting, the current 3R Financial Assistance Program was approved (Action
Agenda Item 4-C). This relief program assists about 550 households in the current year with a
cost of about $39,000.
For this fiscal year, the Board has established Orange County's Solid Waste Convenience
Center Fees (CC Fees). As a reminder, those fees are:
Rural Residential - $10
Urban Residential - $5
Multi-Family - $2
Total Revenues from the fees are expected to be approximately $320,000.
Recognizing that payment of these fees might be a financial burden for some, just as the 3R
Fee might be, staff has prepared to extend similar assistance for the new fee. This relief will
assist the same households at an additional cost of about $4,500 in the current year.
Since many of the individuals who may need financial assistance are the same who meet
requirements of the Homestead Exemption legislation (North Carolina General Statute 105-
277), the Board established the Homestead Exemption rules for 3R Fee relief, and staff
proposes to extend those rules for the CC Fee relief.
In order to qualify for the Homestead Exemption program in 2011 individuals must (1) be 65
years of age or totally and permanently disabled, (2) have an adjusted gross income (as defined
2
by the Internal Revenue Service) for the preceding calendar year of $27,100 or less, and (3) be
a North Carolina resident. For Solid Waste Fee assistance, the Board has allowed persons of
any age to receive relief when they meet the income requirement and apply annually.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Initially the assistance amount is estimated at $4,500. With an aging
population, staff expects the financial impact to continue to grow.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the Extension of
the Solid Waste Fee Assistance Program and approval of assistance to those who are currently
receiving 3R Fee assistance.