News
Recycling program could raise $1 million
Shar Porier
wick communications
Can the county's recycling effort bring in more than $1 million next year? Thanks to the many participants in Cochise County, the short answer is "yes."
Solid Waste Director Marty Haverty has estimated the recycling program could bring in as much as $1,175,092 in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
Since its inception two years ago, county residents have shown their support for the recycling program by pulling out paper products, plastics, metals, E-waste, tires, appliances and a laundry list of other items from household trash. That effort has brought financial benefits, while saving space in the 4-year-old landfill cell.
It has been such a successful venture that revenues from tipping fees have dropped due to reduced tonnage dumped. In the past, about 90,000 tons of garbage are dumped annually in the landfill. That has dropped to 78,000 tons.
Tipping fees, approved by the rate review committee made up of stakeholders, will go up this year from $49 a ton to $50 a ton. But that extra buck a ton won't be much help.
Haverty said Tucson is also having trouble making anticipated revenues from tonnage fees and has offered to take the county's trash. That is not likely to happen.
Supervisor Pat Call gives full credit to Haverty for hiring team-minded people and working so well with municipalities that have their own recycling programs. Sierra Vista, Bisbee and Benson have worked well with Haverty's team and continue to promote recycling programs in their communities.
"Since Marty took over in 2007, things are running smoothly. He has improved efficiency and provides oversight of the operations," added Call. "He has done a tremendous job."
Soon, the Sierra Vista transfer station will add another sort line to remove even more recyclables.
In the rural areas, residents in St. David and Dragoon are enthusiastically onboard with the program to recycle, said Call. "They are doing a great job out there."
Light fleet
management
All departments have had to cut back on expenses in one way or another, and even fleet management director Ruben Miranda has come up with ways to save money through fuel economy and holding on to vehicles for a longer period of time.
By not replacing vehicles when they hit the 150,000-mile mark and maintaining them in the fleet until they hit 175,000 miles, the county can save about $50,000 a year.
The sheriff's department will continue getting new cars when they reach 150,000 miles.
Currently, the county has 493 vehicles and Miranda keeps them on a strict maintenance schedule to be sure the vehicles will make those extra miles.
"Our fleet is healthy," he said.
Through proper maintenance and the purchase of fuel-efficient cars and hybrids, $361,000 was saved on fuel.
For the next fiscal year, he anticipates a fuel savings of $333,000.
Facilities
L.H. Hamilton, county facilities director, has been holding county offices to strict adherence of power reduction policies and has been known to turn off lights or turn down heat if he thinks utilities are being wasted. Hamilton oversees all county buildings and airports. Most of his $1,963,176 budget goes for salaries and contractual services. Though Bisbee-Douglas International Airport breaks even in revenues and expenses, the Willcox Airport has been a drain, even if only by a few thousand dollars.
Water conservation
With the problems of water flow of the San Pedro River, the county will continue to fund agreements with Upper San Pedro Partnership and USGS, with Carl Robie at the helm of the department.
He coordinates county programs dealing with the management of local water resources, does research on water management practices and implements county policies with regard to water, particularly within the Sierra Vista Sub-watershed of the Upper San Pedro River.
He also plans and implements specific water conservation programs within the county.
Though the department's budget was set at $2,115,026, that may change as two of the county supervisors objected to funding $56,515 for the Water Wise Program.
COUNTY BUDGET STATISTICS
General Fund Budget 2010-2011- $78,106,000
Cash carry forward, all funds - $24,654,187
Total Estimated Revenues - $53,452,283
Sources of some of the revenues:
Local taxes (sales and property) - $34,461,453
Federal - $2,187,087
State - $10,492,119
Fines and forfeitures - $1,918,600
Liens and Fees - $2,999,304
General Fund Department budgets
Recorder's Office
Revenues - $285,000
Expenses - $400,981
School Superintendent
Revenue - $54,000
Expenses - $390,815
Special revenue - $931,817
Expenses - $931,817
Treasurer
Revenues - $125,700
Expenses - $1,152,790
Solid Waste
Operations and Maintenance Revenue - $3,603,430
Operations and Maintenance Expenses - $4,669,067
Recycling Revenue - $1,175,092
Recycling Expenses - $109,455
Fleet Management
Revenues - $4,670.151
Expenses - $4,670,151
Note: County finance director Lois Klein stated departments funded with general fund monies do not have to balance revenues with expenditures.
wick communications
Can the county's recycling effort bring in more than $1 million next year? Thanks to the many participants in Cochise County, the short answer is "yes."
Solid Waste Director Marty Haverty has estimated the recycling program could bring in as much as $1,175,092 in the 2010-2011 fiscal year.
Since its inception two years ago, county residents have shown their support for the recycling program by pulling out paper products, plastics, metals, E-waste, tires, appliances and a laundry list of other items from household trash. That effort has brought financial benefits, while saving space in the 4-year-old landfill cell.
It has been such a successful venture that revenues from tipping fees have dropped due to reduced tonnage dumped. In the past, about 90,000 tons of garbage are dumped annually in the landfill. That has dropped to 78,000 tons.
Tipping fees, approved by the rate review committee made up of stakeholders, will go up this year from $49 a ton to $50 a ton. But that extra buck a ton won't be much help.
Haverty said Tucson is also having trouble making anticipated revenues from tonnage fees and has offered to take the county's trash. That is not likely to happen.
Supervisor Pat Call gives full credit to Haverty for hiring team-minded people and working so well with municipalities that have their own recycling programs. Sierra Vista, Bisbee and Benson have worked well with Haverty's team and continue to promote recycling programs in their communities.
"Since Marty took over in 2007, things are running smoothly. He has improved efficiency and provides oversight of the operations," added Call. "He has done a tremendous job."
Soon, the Sierra Vista transfer station will add another sort line to remove even more recyclables.
In the rural areas, residents in St. David and Dragoon are enthusiastically onboard with the program to recycle, said Call. "They are doing a great job out there."
Light fleet
management
All departments have had to cut back on expenses in one way or another, and even fleet management director Ruben Miranda has come up with ways to save money through fuel economy and holding on to vehicles for a longer period of time.
By not replacing vehicles when they hit the 150,000-mile mark and maintaining them in the fleet until they hit 175,000 miles, the county can save about $50,000 a year.
The sheriff's department will continue getting new cars when they reach 150,000 miles.
Currently, the county has 493 vehicles and Miranda keeps them on a strict maintenance schedule to be sure the vehicles will make those extra miles.
"Our fleet is healthy," he said.
Through proper maintenance and the purchase of fuel-efficient cars and hybrids, $361,000 was saved on fuel.
For the next fiscal year, he anticipates a fuel savings of $333,000.
Facilities
L.H. Hamilton, county facilities director, has been holding county offices to strict adherence of power reduction policies and has been known to turn off lights or turn down heat if he thinks utilities are being wasted. Hamilton oversees all county buildings and airports. Most of his $1,963,176 budget goes for salaries and contractual services. Though Bisbee-Douglas International Airport breaks even in revenues and expenses, the Willcox Airport has been a drain, even if only by a few thousand dollars.
Water conservation
With the problems of water flow of the San Pedro River, the county will continue to fund agreements with Upper San Pedro Partnership and USGS, with Carl Robie at the helm of the department.
He coordinates county programs dealing with the management of local water resources, does research on water management practices and implements county policies with regard to water, particularly within the Sierra Vista Sub-watershed of the Upper San Pedro River.
He also plans and implements specific water conservation programs within the county.
Though the department's budget was set at $2,115,026, that may change as two of the county supervisors objected to funding $56,515 for the Water Wise Program.
COUNTY BUDGET STATISTICS
General Fund Budget 2010-2011- $78,106,000
Cash carry forward, all funds - $24,654,187
Total Estimated Revenues - $53,452,283
Sources of some of the revenues:
General Fund Department budgets
Revenues - $285,000
Expenses - $400,981
Revenue - $54,000
Expenses - $390,815
Special revenue - $931,817
Expenses - $931,817
Revenues - $125,700
Expenses - $1,152,790
Operations and Maintenance Revenue - $3,603,430
Operations and Maintenance Expenses - $4,669,067
Recycling Revenue - $1,175,092
Recycling Expenses - $109,455
Revenues - $4,670.151
Expenses - $4,670,151
Note: County finance director Lois Klein stated departments funded with general fund monies do not have to balance revenues with expenditures.
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