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Meeting Date:	04/25/2016
Solid Waste Management Services
Submitted for:	Rose Magana	Submitted By:	Rose Magana
Department:	Commissioners Court

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to adopt a plan of action to address solid waste management services in compliance with Chapters 361, 363 and 364, Texas Health and Safety Code (as discussed at the Commissioners Court meeting of March 14, 2016, item #13) which recognizes jurisdictional limitations imposed by state law, provides an option for a possible joint-management plan with the City of Laredo for their responsibilities in the extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of Laredo, authorizes staff to solicit Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for a third-party service provider, directs staff to initiate the preparation of any required county order to regulate solid waste and impose fees for services, and any matter incident thereto. [Requested by the Solid Waste Review Committee]

Issue: State law limits county authority to regulate solid waste management and disposal to only those unincorporated areas of a county located outside the ETJ limits of a municipality and thus, solid waste management and disposal within Laredo’s ETJ is the responsibility of the City of Laredo. As such, garbage disposal services currently provided by the county in such areas must cease. Additionally, Webb County currently performs garbage pick-up and disposal services without charge to the users of those services. In review of the significant costs associated with these services coupled with the county’s anticipated budget shortfalls from substantial decreases in oil and gas revenues, Webb County’s solid waste committee is recommending levying service fees on users and contracting with a third-party service provider to perform garbage disposal services located in the unincorporated areas outside the ETJ of Laredo.

Solution: Authorize the County Attorney, Purchasing Agent and the appropriate county officials/staff to:
• Solicit RFPs for a third-party provider to perform garbage pick-up and disposal services;
• Prepare required county orders to regulate solid waste management in the county’s jurisdiction and impose fees to pay for those services;
• Coordinate with the City of Laredo in an effort to assist them in finding resolutions to provide garbage service for those areas under their jurisdiction (Laredo’s ETJ) including, but not limited to, a joint-contract with a third-party provider; and
• Provide appropriate notice to affected residents and property owners.

Result: For those areas located within Webb County’s jurisdiction, upon the Commissioners Court's adoption and implementation of the recommended plan and orders the county will be compliant with jurisdictional limitations imposed by state law, the cost of garbage disposal services will be borne by the users of such services, and the resultant reduction in existing expenditures will help off-set anticipated revenue short-falls without reducing these or other vital county services. For those areas located within Laredo’s ETJ, results are dependent upon actions to be undertaken by the City of Laredo which have yet to be determined.

Background:

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Previous Court Action:

Fiscal Impact

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