Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 19, 1991 TAG: 9103190270
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Medium
Two expressed concern about the potential effect of the fee on business and industry, three supported fees and two asked questions.
A landfill fee for commercial and industrial users was included in the county's proposed 1990-91 budget. It is expected to generate about $58,000 for the county.
The Floyd County Chamber of Commerce opposed the fee because it was only a partial solution to the landfill-funding problem.
"I feel like we're being made out to be the scapegoat for the large [landfill] bill we have," said Ron Ingle, a vice president of the chamber. "Now if this is part of a larger solution, then that is a different matter."
Meanwhile, citizen support appeared to be favor the fees.
"I'm one of the people who went door-to-door to with a petition to get the law changed so Floyd and other counties could enact a tipping fee," said Nancy Barnhardt of Floyd. "I was surprised to find how eager people were to sign it. They felt like since industries contribute such a large part of the waste, it was reasonable for them to pay a reasonable fee."
Also, Floyd Town Manager Rick Lewis asked if the fee would apply to the town's trash truck. County Administrator Randy Arno told him that while the town was not exempt from the ordinance, it was not the plan of the supervisors to charge the town at this time.
In a related matter, Pat Therrian, the operator of the Floyd Recycling Center, asked for additional help from the county. Among her requests were the use of a garbage truck for transportation of recyclables, the conversion of eight old Dumpsters for use in paper recycling and an increase in assistance from $260 to $800 per month.
The board scheduled a meeting for March 28 at 7 p.m. to discuss the budget and landfill financing.
Arno told the board he would have a balanced budget for them at that time. He said he was leaning toward a combined approach - household user fees, tipping fees and tax increases - to help pay for the increasing landfill costs.
Also, Arno asked the supervisors for guidance on how to pay for the landfill improvements. Three supervisors spoke in favor of issuing general obligation bonds.
The board also made minor adjustments to the redistricting plan. Two areas containing 35 people were moved back into District C (Courthouse). They were to have moved into District E (Indian Valley).
The supervisors scheduled two public hearings for April 15 - at 1:30 p.m. on changes in the animal control ordinance and at 7:30 p.m. on redistricting.
And the supervisors appointed Peggy Kesler, a nurse from Check, to the New River Health District Advisory Board.
by CNB