Made with Xara Web Designer Copyright May, 2009 - Amelia Island Association Crane Island     Timucuan Extension     Impact Fees     Recycling Nassau County Traffic Crashes   Amelia Island Association (AIA) Recycling Position    NOW IS THE TIME TO BEGIN CURBSIDE RECYCING IN COUNTY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS RECYCLING POSITION: The Amelia Island Association (AIA) urges the Board of County Commissioners to support curbside recycling in the districts that are primarily residential when they meet on the evening of Mon., Dec. 22 to discuss the proposed Solid Waste Franchise Agreement.  In the 12/10/08 issue of the News-Leader the editorial supported the county establishing a curbside recycling program similar to that of the City of Fernandina Beach.  That same evening the Amelia Island Association (AIA) hosted our monthly meeting and co-chairs of the Nassau County Solid Waste Task Force, Todd Duncan and Jane Scanlan, presented an overview of the recycling issues facing the County.  After a full discussion, the consensus of those at the meeting was to support curbside recycling in the higher density residential Districts of the county.  AIA also recommends that county landfill costs, for open or closed landfills, should continue to be supported by broad based county taxes on all homeowners and citizens rather than new fees, of any kind, that are now being considered by the county commissioners. AIA recommends implementing a curbside recycling program in Districts 2 and 3, (e.g., south end of Amelia Island and Yulee) in a manner similar to what has been implemented for years in District 1 (Fernandina Beach) by the City of Fernandina Beach. SUPPORTING REASONS FOR RECYCLING POSITION: The Board of County Commissioners is planning to make franchise agreements with haulers for curbside pick-up of trash.  These agreements should include curbside pick-up of recycling in the primarily residential districts, since curbside recycling is now an expected basic government service in most residential areas of the state and the country. If the county does the billing for curbside pick-up service (as is done by the City of Fernandina Beach for District 1) then the total cost for waste pick-up and recycling pick-up is about the same as for waste only pick-up with billing done by the hauler.  Today the average percent of solid waste recycled in Florida counties is 24% -- and Nassau is in the lower 1/3^rd of the counties.  The Florida State Legislature set a goal this year to have 75% of all waste recycled by 2020. The county’s proposal to use franchise fees as a hidden tax to pay for the cost of maintaining closed landfills is unfair.  This proposed new franchise fee would only apply to those having trash pick-up service in the unincorporated areas of the county because the haulers will pass this additional cost on to their customers.  AIA Directors December, 2008