Landfill Money Transfer Proposed

County commissioners Tuesday agreed to explore the possibility, if necessary, of transferring money from its general fund to the Utilities Department to help offset the extra charges for hauling garbage out of the county.

They also agreed to send a letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) asking that agency to expedite the process of obtaining the necessary permitting for the landfill site so taxpayers won't end up footing what could be a huge bill.

Without the transfer of money, taxpayers could face the possibility of seeing their residential trash rates rise from $60 to $104 per month, "a drastic increase," said Commissioner Jim Adkins, who made the motion to explore the funding option.

Commission Chairman Dave Russell hopes the money transfer won't be necessary if the appropriate pressure is put upon the state.

"Why should the taxpayers be burdened with direct increases to their garbage fees due to a permitting quagmire?" Russell asked.

Commissioner John Druzbick agreed that, given today's economy, the county doesn't need to saddle residents with an exorbitant hike.

County Attorney Garth Coller told commissioners he believes it is legal to transfer money from the general fund to an Enterprise Fund as long as it is paid back.

Utilities Director Joe Stapf said the letter to DEP couldn't hurt at this late stage.

"If we can't get a permit issued, we have no option but to haul waste out of the county and that becomes expensive," Stapf said.

The state has delayed issuing a permit so the county could open a new cell at the county landfill.

As a result, the county is fast running out of space at the landfill and faces the expensive proposition of having to truck garbage out of the county.

Stapf estimates it would cost Hernando County about $50 per ton to transport waste to another facility. Possible sites include the Pasco County incinerator or the Kissimmee landfill.

Stapf used one scenario where the county would haul garbage from April 1 until June 3, 2010 - 200 tons per day for about 60 weeks, 6 days per week.

"At $50 per ton, that would cost Hernando County residents $3,600,000 over and above the normal cost of disposal," Stapf said.

"This cost is not reflected in the current Solid Waste Disposal Assessment that is levied against all residential properties, nor is it reflected in the current tipping fee for commercial trash that is brought to the landfill," he said.