Counties may get a reprieve on solid waste payments

Posted 8/15/01

Counties may get a reprieve on solid waste payments

By Danielle Strenke

Commissioners at the August 13 meeting of the East Central Solid Waste Commission had mixed reactions to being told their counties would be responsible for only nine monthly bond payments in 2002.

They received word from Executive Director Allen Bonini that the latest budget figures show a surplus which could cover three monthly bond payments next year.

In 2001, the five counties in the joint powers were required to pay 10 of the payments. Bonini told the commissioners that it looks as if the ECSWC could foot the bill for at least three of those payments next year, and possibly one more.
Commission Chair George Larson of Isanti County wanted to see a commitment to cover four of the payments for next year. Bonini told him it is very likely the funds will be there, but he cautioned against making that commitment.
Commissioner Bob Gustafson of Chisago County was in favor of including only three of the payments on the commissionís budget, so ěthe county wasnít hit with the surpriseî of paying for a fourth payment that wasnít on their budget.
Bonini said the three monthly payments covered by the commission will most likely come in the last three months of 2002.
Other issues
The commission was informed that a draft of the 2002 budget would be completed for the September meeting, with possible finalization at its November meeting.
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The new transfer station in Cambridge will not be completed until next year, Bonini informed the commission.
The project was delayed as the ECSWCís plate filled with taking over operations at the Mora landfill and both a landfill closure and new landfill construction at Mora. ěIím disappointed the project has not begun, but its understandable with everything else going on,î Bonini said.
The commission urged Bonini to solicit bids now, for spring 2002 construction of the station. ěGet the bids now before they are booked up for next year,î Larson said.
In the June financial statement, Bonini noted that the commission realized a net income of over $146,000 for the month, while its cash surplus was reduced by $170,000, bringing the total surplus down to $831,000.
Solid waste volumes being brought to the landfill increased by 12.5 percent over the same period last year.
Union negotiations
The union negotiations committee, comprised of Commis-sioners Dennis McNally of Kanabec County and Alan Hancock of Pine County, and Bonini, continued meetings with union representatives during closed session at the meeting Monday.
The contract with the Minnesota Teamsters Public and Law Enforcement Employ-ersí Union Local #320 is set to expire at the end of the year. More negotiation meetings are set for September.
Due to the Labor Day holiday and other scheduling conflicts, the September meeting of the ECSWC was set for Monday, September 17 at 9 a.m.