SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6604

BYSenators Benitz, Kreidler, Patterson and Garrett

Encouraging cities to prepare joint city-county garbage plans.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 5, 1988

Senate Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7717)

AS OF FEBRUARY 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Counties, in cooperation with cities, are required to prepare and periodically update comprehensive solid waste management plans.  These plans specify current and long-range waste management actions within the county.  Comprehensive plans may include more than one county.

In developing the plan, cities have the option of preparing their own plan to be included in the county's comprehensive plan, entering into an agreement with the county to prepare a joint city-county plan, or authorizing the county to prepare a plan for the city.

The need to finance capital intensive projects such as incinerators and new landfills has led many parties to believe that more coordination and planning between cities and counties is necessary in developing the comprehensive management plans. Other parties believe that the current approach is preferable because it allows for greater flexibility in plan development.

SUMMARY:

A county has no responsibility to provide a disposal site to a city if the city does not participate in the county's solid waste management plan.  A city that uses a county disposal site and is part of that county's plan must sign an interlocal agreement to commit its waste stream for the duration of the agreement.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested