Nelsonville City Council gets explanation of parcel fees

NELSONVILLE — Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District Director Jane Forrest Redfern said a proposed $24 annual parcel fee is the most equitable solution the district's policy board came up with to raise funds to help pay for the district's purchase of the Athens-Hocking Recycling Centers and other improvements.

The purchase is part of the formation of the Southeast Ohio Recycling Terminal Council of Governments. Athens City Council recently approved a resolution authorizing city administration to add Athens to the COG.

Redfern talked with the Nelsonville City Council about the fee during Monday's meeting at council chambers.

If passed, the fee will be applied in Athens and Hocking counties to all improved parcels — pieces of property that feature a structure on them, such as a house or garage. Redfern gave the example of her personal property, which contains three parcels. She noted that under the proposal, her family would not be charged for the two forested parcels, but would be charged the $24 fee for the parcel that her residence sits on.

"The parcel fee will raise, not only money to cover my (the solid waste district's) basic budget, it will also cover buying the recycling center through a 10-year bond. With that money, then you (the solid waste district) would then own the recycling center, and then we would then lease it to the council of governments," Redfern said. "That way, it brings the cost of recycling down for everyone who is recycling."

Redfern noted that the policy board decided parcel fee was the most equitable way to cover its budget.

"We just felt that the $24 was a lot more equitable than to let the public sector or private sector out there decide how much you're gonna pay," Redfern said.

After the bond is paid off, the parcel fee will go down to $18 to $20 depending on the cost to maintain the facilities.

"All of this will be voted on by both the Athens and Hocking County commissioners because that they're the only ones that can vote. ... The legislators wanted county commissioners to have the ability to be able to build infrastructure for the communities, like the landfills and water treatment and sewer plant," Redfern said.

If both sets of commissioners don't approve of the parcel fee, the district's other option is to "practically double" its fees. "So when your hauler goes to the landfill, our fees — that are on top of the landfill fees and the state fees — will double. And that will give the haulers and the landfill, the opportunity to double their rates," Redfern said.

Council member Corey Taylor brought up the fact that many of Nelsonville's parcels are small. He asked whether a property owner has to pay for each parcel a building sits on. For example, an apartment building he owns sits on about eight parcels — one parcel is so small that only a corner of the building sits on it.

"There's eight parcels chopped up on a little tiny property. And literally, I've got a parcel that I pay $1.56 (in taxes) every twice a year — $1.56. Is it improved? And the corner of building is on it. And I'm gonna pay $24 (for that small piece of property)?"

Redfern said that some property owners may look into getting a surveyor to combine parcels and reduce the amount they pay in parcel fees.

Also during the meeting, Southeast Ohio Recycling Terminal Council of Governments Secretary, Treasurer and Fiscal Officer Crissa Cummings thanked council for authorizing City Manager Tom Cangemi to sign an agreement allowing the city to join the COG.

SORT's board will vote at its July 15 meeting to accept Nelsonville as a member. The city council must appoint a representative — either a council member or city employee — to the COG board.

"I'm eagerly awaiting the news of who you're gonna appoint, because that person will be one of my bosses once the transfer is complete between the nonprofit (AHRC) and the council of governments," she said.

Also during the meeting, council voted 5-1 to excuse Council Member Justin Booth's absence.

Johnny Flowers voted against excusing the absence, noting that Booth has missed five of the last 13 meeting. "I have nothing against Mr. Booth, but I think we owe it to the citizens to be here and be available to this council."

Nelsonville City Council meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 6 p.m. in council chambers, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville.