AGENDA DATE: 3/20/2024
TITLE:
Title
Rivanna Solid Waste Authority Ivy Materials Utilization Center FY 25 Fees and Charges
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Proposal to Adjust Certain Fees and Charges for the Ivy Materials Utilization Center for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Rosenberg, Herrick, Stewart, Davidson
PRESENTER (S): Ryan Davidson, Bill Mawyer, Lance Stewart
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Rivanna Solid Waste Authority (RSWA) operates the Ivy Materials Utilization Center (MUC) on behalf of Albemarle County and City of Charlottesville. The site includes a solid waste transfer station, which receives Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) from trash haulers and the public. A variety of other materials are collected at the facility, as detailed in the Rate Schedule included with a letter from the RSWA Executive Director dated February 12, 2024 (Attachment A). Albemarle County has full fiscal responsibility for covering all costs associated with the transfer station, after revenue from tipping fees is accounted for. A 2016 amendment to the Ivy MUC Programs Agreement between the County and RSWA was the vehicle by which the transfer station was constructed. The agreement specifies that any changes to tipping or other fees must be requested by the majority vote of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, prior to adoption by the RSWA Board of Directors (Attachment B).
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality Government Operations - Ensure County government’s capacity to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities.
DISCUSSION: In response to a steady increase in annual tonnage received, rising costs for operation of Ivy MUC, and local market rates, the RSWA Executive Director formally proposed in a letter dated February 12, 2024 (Attachment A) and as part of the March 6, 2024 budget work session that the Board of Supervisors consider an increase in tipping fees for MSW (from $54 to $58 per ton), Construction Debris (from $54 to $58 per ton), and Vegetation/Yard Waste (from $50 to $54 per ton). RSWA and County staff have weighed the potential financial implications of the proposed fee adjustments and concur that they would have no substantial impact on the amount of annual tonnage received, and that the proposed tipping fee adjustments reflect a prudent response to increasing costs.
BUDGET IMPACT: The proposed increase in the MSW tipping fee rate would reduce the anticipated County FY 25 financial contribution for the operation of the Ivy MUC. The amount of the reduction would depend upon tonnage of waste processed through the facility, but is estimated to be $290,000 in FY 25.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the Resolution (Attachment C) to request the proposed adjustments of tipping fees and other charges.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Proposed Changes to Ivy MUC Tipping Fees and Other Charges
B - Amended Ivy MUC Programs Agreement
C - Resolution