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Council asks for more data after staff raise possibility of raising solid-waste excise tax to fund transfer-station project
Summary
Solid Waste staff on Oct. 6 asked the council whether to pursue study of raising the county’s General District solid‑waste excise tax to 16% and whether to review code language that now sends excise shares to Lopez for waste dumped on the San Juan tipping floor; council requested more financial detail and stakeholder outreach before any policy action.
San Juan County Solid Waste staff briefed the council on Oct. 6 about financing pressures tied to a planned transfer‑station expansion and asked whether the council wants staff to explore raising the General District solid‑waste excise tax from 14.5% to 16% and to review existing code language that directs excise-share payments to Lopez when San Juan-collected trash is dumped on the San Juan tipping floor.
Staff said increasing the General District excise rate to 16% would, in long‑term estimates used by staff, increase available revenue and help close financing gaps for the facility project; staff provided an illustrative figure for discussion (the estimate cited in the meeting materials equated a higher excise rate with roughly $7,075,000 in additional long‑term revenue). They also noted that current code allocation results in Lopez General District receiving about $48,000–$50,000 annually in excise tax for waste that is hauled to and handled at the San Juan transfer station.
Council members asked for a clearer problem statement and a full financial picture before considering policy changes: how much cash is currently available in the utility fund, what is the precise shortfall for design and construction of the planned expansion, what portions of tipping-floor and program costs have previously been covered by the utility and what departments or agencies may now be carrying those costs, and what would be the distributional impact on Lopez and other districts. Several council members expressed concern that changing excise allocation would require stakeholder conversations in Lopez and that any change should not be rushed.
Council asked staff to return with a consolidated financial package showing current available cash, projected capital needs, the gap amount, a comparison of excise/allocation practices in other counties if available, and a community engagement plan before staff pursue code amendments or rate changes.
Provenance: Solid Waste staff presentation and council discussion during the Oct. 6 meeting.
