TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 18, 2018
COMMITTEE ON MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS
Mr. John P. Murray, Acting Executive Director
Title
Authorization to Remove Charge for Composted Biosolids
Body
Dear Sir:
Authority is being sought from the Board of Commissioners to distribute compost to all end users at no cost. While compost distributions to municipalities, park districts, and other non-profit organizations continue to grow, distributions to residents and private businesses have not kept pace. Less than one percent of all compost distributions in 2018 have been to local residents and private businesses. District staff have noted an increase in the number of residents and private businesses (namely small landscaping companies) interested in our compost and willing to pick it up; however, many are unwilling to purchase the material, particularly if they have not witnessed firsthand the benefits of using compost.
We anticipate that providing compost for no charge to local residents and private businesses will increase the general public’s interest in our product and greatly enhance word-of-mouth marketing and growth of the program. We also anticipate that this change will encourage local landscapers and other private businesses to pick up additional compost from our solids management areas, resulting in additional transportation savings beyond the $175,000 in savings realized so far in 2018.
Requested, Sergio Serafino, Acting Director of Maintenance and Operations, BAP
Respectfully Submitted, David J. Walsh, Chairman Committee on Maintenance and Operations
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for October 18, 2018