OWASCO - The Owasco Town Board received an audit report from Cuddy & Ward CPAs of its operations at the recycling center, outlining possible options and financial implications, as officials are anxious to optimize the center as a source of revenue.
The report was discussed at a special work session Wednesday.
While no resolutions were voted on, three issues related to recycling will be on the town board's agenda on Aug. 15. An increase in the price per bag of trash of 25 cents will be proposed, up to $2.25 if passed.
“I don't want the people to start dumping it (trash), so maybe 25 cents is a good compromise,” said John Klink, town supervisor.
A few of the councilors hesitated to propose an increase of 50 cents per bag, with Arthur Richardson declaring his opposition to even the 25 cent compromise.
With only 48 percent of the town actually using the recycling center, board members were looking to increase the volume by publicizing the facility. Some residents don't even know where it is - on Route 38A at the waterworks near Swartout Road.
The board thought of putting up a recycling sign. People who are now hiring independent contractors to pick up their trash might also give the center another look when they compare prices.
The board also discussed allowing individuals not residing in Owasco to use the facility and discussed the pros and cons, which they decided to add to their proposals at the August town board meeting.
The third issue to be resolved at that meeting will be the center's use by small contractors hauling brush, provided that they are servicing an Owasco resident.
Auditors conducted two site visits of the recycling center in June 2008 to observe the operations and evaluate procedures and controls. They provided the town with a statement showing a net deficit of $51,770 for the year ending Dec. 31, 2007, including revenue, and all identifiable expenses. Some expenses, such as fuel and insurance were estimated.
The auditors provided projected statements for five different combinations of activities involving the recycling center, moving from one incurring the greatest deficit, $26,570 to the smallest deficit of $2,480.
The first option with the least revenue, $114, 349, assumes sale of paper for recycling and better safeguards over metals. It would include a new contract to pick up recycled material from Cayuga County and BOCES.
The second option includes these assumptions and adds a 10 percent increase in refuse and garbage charges, creating total revenues of $122,668.
The third choice adds a 50 cent fee per trash bag to the other assumptions for total revenues of $132,899.
Option four establishes a $10 per vehicle sticker charge for a resident's first vehicle and $5 for the second, for revenues of $124,849, with no charge per bag.
The final option, which the board settled on as its model, incorporates increased revenue from sales of paper and better safeguards over metals, which the town is already seeing an improvement in; new contracts to pick up recycled material from Cayuga County, BOCES, and perhaps the college or other area schools; the 25 cent increase in fee per trash bags. The model also proposed establishing stickers for vehicles, but most of the board members were not in favor of that option.
The board is not looking to profit from the changes to the recycling center rules but rather to make it self-sustaining. They agreed to hold off making any drastic changes until they see how the system will work through the end of this year.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
While no resolutions were voted on, three issues related to recycling will be on the town board's agenda on Aug. 15. An increase in the price per bag of trash of 25 cents will be proposed, up to $2.25 if passed.
“I don't want the people to start dumping it (trash), so maybe 25 cents is a good compromise,” said John Klink, town supervisor.
A few of the councilors hesitated to propose an increase of 50 cents per bag, with Arthur Richardson declaring his opposition to even the 25 cent compromise.
With only 48 percent of the town actually using the recycling center, board members were looking to increase the volume by publicizing the facility. Some residents don't even know where it is - on Route 38A at the waterworks near Swartout Road.
The board thought of putting up a recycling sign. People who are now hiring independent contractors to pick up their trash might also give the center another look when they compare prices.
The board also discussed allowing individuals not residing in Owasco to use the facility and discussed the pros and cons, which they decided to add to their proposals at the August town board meeting.
The third issue to be resolved at that meeting will be the center's use by small contractors hauling brush, provided that they are servicing an Owasco resident.
Auditors conducted two site visits of the recycling center in June 2008 to observe the operations and evaluate procedures and controls. They provided the town with a statement showing a net deficit of $51,770 for the year ending Dec. 31, 2007, including revenue, and all identifiable expenses. Some expenses, such as fuel and insurance were estimated.
The auditors provided projected statements for five different combinations of activities involving the recycling center, moving from one incurring the greatest deficit, $26,570 to the smallest deficit of $2,480.
The first option with the least revenue, $114, 349, assumes sale of paper for recycling and better safeguards over metals. It would include a new contract to pick up recycled material from Cayuga County and BOCES.
The second option includes these assumptions and adds a 10 percent increase in refuse and garbage charges, creating total revenues of $122,668.
The third choice adds a 50 cent fee per trash bag to the other assumptions for total revenues of $132,899.
Option four establishes a $10 per vehicle sticker charge for a resident's first vehicle and $5 for the second, for revenues of $124,849, with no charge per bag.
The final option, which the board settled on as its model, incorporates increased revenue from sales of paper and better safeguards over metals, which the town is already seeing an improvement in; new contracts to pick up recycled material from Cayuga County, BOCES, and perhaps the college or other area schools; the 25 cent increase in fee per trash bags. The model also proposed establishing stickers for vehicles, but most of the board members were not in favor of that option.
The board is not looking to profit from the changes to the recycling center rules but rather to make it self-sustaining. They agreed to hold off making any drastic changes until they see how the system will work through the end of this year.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
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quest wrote on Jul 17, 2008 12:56 PM:
How about canning the blue bags? How much would that save? We really don't need bags with printing and town logos!!! Hello this is trash!!! Just sell stickers at the same price, and I bet the savings in blue bags would push up the revenue. Are these guys for real?? Oh yeh, stop letting workers steal the real revenue maker THE METAL!!!! "