Recycling services continued another year
The Flathead County Solid Waste Board approved a one-year extension for recycling services Tuesday.
The board approved the extension at a cost of slightly less than $209,000 for Fiscal Year 2014. This means blue bin recycling will be continued at green box sites throughout the county through December 2014, but not at Albertson's and Super One groceries in Kalispell. A Valley Recycling representative said the company would like to retain some form of recycling at those locations at its own cost.
Solid Waste Director Dave Prunty said projected recycling revenues will be $67,000, resulting in a projected deficit of $142,000. This represents the worst deficit the county has ever faced in its recycling program, Prunty said, noting it's $40,000 more than the previous high.
In matters relating to the Bigfork green box site - which the county has slated for closure - Prunty said he met with the Bigfork Green Box Committee Nov. 15. "It might've been our best meeting yet," he said.
The committee plans to put together a Top Ten list of concerns that the county will provide to its consultant as it revisits a strategic plan from 2008. The county plans on having SWT Engineering look again at recycling and green box issues.
Prunty estimated the cost for the update at $30,000. The county has a master contract with SWT so board approval is not needed for the revision, he said, but noted that the $30,000 isn't currently budgeted.
The county plans on having a scoping meeting with members of the Solid Waste Board early next year prior to the revised study. Prunty said that a public survey could be included in the revised study.
Earlier in the meeting, Mayre Flowers of Citizens for a Better Flathead said that there wasn't a lot of public involvement when the initial study was done. She handed out a list of pros and cons to consolidation of green box sites. "It's time to really look at this and engage the public," she said.
Board member Wayne Miller - who lives in the Bigfork School District - objected to comments that Bigfork area residents recently sent to the Kalispell City Council about chairman Hank Olson, calling it an effort to assassinate his character. Olson cut him off, however.
Olson has served on the board 14 years. His term expires Dec. 31. Kalispell Mayor Tammi Fisher has said she will not reappoint him, although she and council have not yet decided on a replacement.
Several Lakeside representatives spoke during public comment at the beginning of the meeting. Dan Benesch said the county's rural communities are not adequately represented on the board.