HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-21-2012 - 8bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 21, 2012
Action Agenda
Item No. 8 - b
SUBJECT: Orange County Landfill Closure Date
DEPARTMENT: Solid Waste Management PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gayle Wilson, Solid Waste Management
Director, 968-2885
Michael Talbert, Assistant County
Manager - 245-2308
Frank Clifton, County Manager, 245-
2306
PURPOSE: To make a formal decision regarding the specific date the Orange County Municipal
Solid Waste Landfill will cease accepting waste and initiate permanent regulatory closure
procedures.
BACKGROUND: Discussions regarding if and when to close the Orange County Landfill have
taken place over several years in various forums and contexts. At an October 4, 2011 Board of
Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, the BOCC expressed intent to close the Landfill in 2013,
pending a joint work session with its municipal partners. The October meeting also provided for
a discussion of various capacity options, estimated timelines for implementing closure
procedures, costs for closure and post-closure and a presentation of the current Solid Waste
Fund Reserves. This October 4, 2011 meeting agenda information is available on the Orange
County Governmental web site.
The joint work session with the County's municipal partners was held on January 26, 2012
providing for a full discussion of issues related to landfill closure as well as other solid waste
related matters. The result of this meeting was an apparent general consensus on landfill
closure in 2013.
Closure date options have been discussed and referenced over the past several months,
including spring of 2013, June 30, 2013, and summer/fall of 2013. Given the delayed timing of a
final closure decision, staff has previously indicated that June 30, 2013 closure would be the
earliest date that the County can reasonably comply with the regulatory closure requirements.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Closure expenses for the landfill are estimated at $3,116,720. Post-
closure expenses for the minimum 30-year period required under state law are estimated at
$2,484,555 for the landfill unit, based on the most recent financial assurance annual reporting.
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Post-closure estimates are subject to modification due to future regulatory/statutory actions.
These expenses will be funded through Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board select a date-certain for
closure of the Orange County Municipal Waste Landfill, direct staff to initiate any and all
regulatory procedures for implementing closure, and direct staff to notify Orange County Landfill
account holders and facility users of the imminent cessation of landfill operations. A June 30,
2013 closure date would coincide with the end of local governments fiscal reporting periods
(fiscal year).