The Solid Waste Management Authority approved an agreement to contribute up to $15,000 toward development of a software tool to compare greenhouse-gas impacts of alternative organics-management programs.

The contract will be issued under a subcontract through the Environmental Services Joint Powers Authority (ESJPA) as part of a pooled effort with three other rural counties that received CalRecycle grant funding. Authority staff said the pooled approach lets four counties share the cost of a tool none could afford individually.

"This amount charged to this county is okay...the amount of this contract will not be more than $15,000," staff said, describing how the ESJPA will preapprove bills and oversee distribution of costs. Staff also explained that the ESJPA will verify that the work is complete before county payments are disbursed to BlueStripe Environmental.

Commissioners asked whether the county's contribution was contingent on other counties' participation and what would happen if one or more counties declined. Staff said the participating counties had signaled support but that contract approval remained necessary at each jurisdiction; ESJPA preapproval would confirm completed work before payment.

The motion to approve the agreement with BlueStripe Environmental, through ESJPA oversight, passed unanimously. Commissioners Tompkins, Wright, Tinkler, Short and Chair Wilson voted yes.