CC facing up to $1.2 million shortfall in landfill revenue

A drastic decline in revenue flowing into Charles City coffers from Waste Management’s landfill is forcing county officials to take steps curbing overall expenses.

Board of Supervisors members voted 3-0 during their Tuesday night meeting to place a temporary freeze on all spending deemed “non-essential.” The board is leaving it up to individual county departments and agencies to reexamine respective budgets and determine which expenditures fall into the essential/non-essential categories.

County Administrator Jack Miniclier told supervisors that trash deposited in the landfill is currently averaging about 1,500 tons per day. The minimum required under the county’s contract with the firm is 2,000 tons, based on economic conditions.

Miniclier said an Aug. 20 letter from Waste Management officials claims the company plans to be aggressive in finding new trash sources, but daily loads for the remainder of the year are expected to be in the 1,300-1,500 ton range.

“My analysis does not concur with their analysis,” Miniclier said, but added by his estimation the county stands to lose $850,000 to $1.2 million on the current year’s budget alone. He recommended board members study the budget matter in more detail during their quarterly work session on Sept. 8.

The board’s action set off alarms with county school officials. School Board chairman Roy Campbell told supervisors, “Essential is what’s in our budget. What’s non-essential isn’t in our budget.

“If you’ve approved our budget, it’s up to us how we spend it,” he argued. “If you’re in financial trouble, then sit down with us and work it out.”

Supervisors’ chairman Timothy Cotman responded that budget approval is not the same as spending. Supervisors must first appropriate the money, he said. Those appropriations usually have been done on a quarterly basis, but Cotman said supervisors have a legal right to change to monthly.

“The responsibility of the Board of Supervisors is to be financially prudent,” Cotman told Campbell. “We do not want to have to borrow money to pay bills as has been done in the past.”

“We’ll submit bills to you,” Campbell replied. “If you decide not to pay bills, that’s up to you.”

Supervisor Gilbert Smith complained that he could not understand why the two boards have found it difficult to arrive at a means of cooperation.

“There’s a lot of mistrust between agencies,” Campbell said. “We have to work on being truthful and honest with each other.”

Miniclier said the expenditure freeze is only temporary and enables county staff to study the budget matter. Staff will be looking at October and November, before county tax bills are due, he added.

“What we’re saying is temporary as we look at this situation,” he said. “If we don’t have the money, the treasurer by law cannot sign the check.”