10A Action 2013 1118 Attachment - Laserfiche WebLink

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Managing Tomorrow’s Resources Today Mr. Gary Wolff October 4, 2013 Page 2 of 15  Participation: Support significantly increased participation in the household hazardous waste (HHW) system, based on a steady historic pattern of growth in use.  Convenience: Maximize convenience to customers, either by being open on Sundays or by other means.  Predictability: Be open the same days and hours every week, providing the public with a predictable schedule.  Equity: Increase outreach efforts to bring facility use to approximately equal levels of use across the geography of the County and its demographic groups.  Long‐Term Efficiency: Reduce the long term need for the Program and its costs, by assisting the residential public through the outreach effort in making knowledgeable purchasing and use decisions associated with HHW products. In July 2013, StopWaste engaged HF&H Consultants, LLC (HF&H) to conduct an Evaluation of the Proposed System Expansion, which provides for a new funding source, and an “Austerity Option”, which entails no new funding and a winding down of the Program. As requested by StopWaste, this report: 1. Reviews the underlying assumptions regarding the future Program service levels under each option. 2. Evaluates the feasibility of the two options to accomplish their objectives. 3. Identifies the level of the new fee that will be necessary to fund the Proposed System Expansion through FY 19‐20, based on projected Program expenses and revenues. StopWaste staff have been directed to focus on a fee on single‐family and multi‐family dwelling units in Alameda County collected using the County’s property tax billing system, and to continue current disposal tip fee funding at the current fee level. HF&H was requested to identify the necessary amount for the new fee, but not to evaluate or opine on the type or form of the proposed fee. In evaluating the two Program options, HF&H requested and reviewed detailed information provided by Program and StopWaste staff, requested corroboration of data provided, reviewed key Program assumptions, and verified the accuracy of calculations. Summary findings of the Evaluation include: 1. The proposed types and levels of service delivery for both the System Expansion and the Austerity options appear reasonable and well‐considered. 2. Underlying operational and fiscal assumptions appear reasonable and well‐considered. 3. The Proposed System Expansion provides a better “bang‐for the‐buck”, taking fuller advantage of the efficiencies that can result from a larger Program, and providing new services.