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Commissioners raise concerns about trash contractor, missing audit update and inquire about penny sales tax option
Summary
During commissioner comments Oct. 6, board members raised constituent complaints about Republic Services' trash pickup service, requested an update on a multi-county audit into missing district attorney funds and discussed exploring a local one-cent sales tax ("floss") as a potential option to reduce property tax burden.
Several commissioners used the Oct. 6 meeting's comment period to raise constituent concerns and policy ideas.
Commissioner Gordon said he has received numerous complaints about Republic Services' trash collection, including missed pickups and slow customer response. "The contact person I have with Republic not only doesn't answer his telephone, his voicemail is full and he doesn't respond to text," Gordon said, and asked county staff to arrange a meeting with Republic officials to press for better service.
Gordon also asked for an update on an audit financed by five counties into missing funds in the district attorney's office; he said the board previously voted in March to help fund that audit and that the commissioners had not heard a status update. He asked staff to send a letter requesting a progress report from the audit firm.
Commissioners discussed the option of placing a one‑cent local option sales tax (referred to in the meeting as "floss") on a referendum to help lower property millage. Commissioners asked staff to prepare background material and a work session on the topic. Commissioners noted tradeoffs: sales tax broadens the tax base (including some revenue from non‑residents who shop in county) but also shifts some tax burden to consumption. Some commissioners said they are open to learning more; others expressed skepticism about adding any tax. The board did not take action on the proposal, only agreed to receive information.
Ending: County staff agreed to pursue a meeting with Republic officials, to seek an audit update from the auditor handling the district attorney review and to assemble information on the one‑cent sales tax option for a future work session.
