Strategic Plan

MISSION
The mission of the Solid Waste Management is to manage disposal facilities, enforce county and state codes, and provide reasonably priced and environmentally acceptable methods for solid and hazardous waste reduction and disposal for the citizens of Ada County.

PHILOSOPHY
We believe that Ada County residents are entitled to a safe and clean environment, free of contamination from improper disposal of solid and hazardous waste.

VISION
Over the next several years we envision this department becoming the leader in developing cost effective, environmentally safe and innovative methods of solid and hazardous waste reduction, collection and disposal.

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
The following are the major issues and challenges impacting the organization, now and in the future. (Not prioritized)

1. Appropriate and accurate accounting control must be maintained for funds received and disbursed.
2. The general public does not appreciate or comprehend the seriousness of solid and hazardous waste management in a high growth area, nor are they aware of the latest waste reduction and collection methods available.
3. The Solid Waste Management Department is expected to develop cost effective and environmentally safe methods of solid and hazardous waste reduction, collection and disposal.
4. The county's drinking water comes from ground water and must be protected from potential contamination from waste disposal in the county's landfill, and other sources located throughout the county.
5. Employee development and training is critical to department morale, and efficiency, and for the environmental safety of Ada County residents.
6. Ada County residents, for the most part, remain unaware of code violations and what constitutes inappropriate and environmentally harmful dumping of solid and hazardous waste.
7. The county must guard against off-site migration of landfill gas in explosive quantities.
8. Staff salaries must be set at levels that will facilitate the retention of valuable long-term employees.

GENERAL GOALS
These represent the broad accomplishments the organization would like to achieve over the next several (3 to 5) years. (Not in priority order.)

1. To establish a positive public image.
2. To build public awareness, through education, of reduction versus disposal of hazardous and nonhazardous waste.
3. To maintain certification for certain positions and have fully trained and knowledgeable department personnel.
4. To meet or exceed federal and state standards for ground water quality.
5. To meet or exceed federal and state standards for off-site migration of landfill gas.
6. To eliminate all illegal disposal of solid and hazardous waste in the county.
7. To create efficiencies in accounting control, reporting activities and solid and hazardous waste management.
8. To expand our in-house abilities to monitor ground water, surface water and air emissions in and around the county landfill.
9. To continue to provide a better working environment for all employees.

1997 - 1998 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIONS
Following are the organization's key objectives for FY 1997-1998. Under each, several actions are listed that are planned to achieve the objective.

1. To reduce the per capita amount of solid and hazardous waste being disposed of by county residents by the end of 1995.

ACTIONS

* Divert additional incoming wood waste from the county landfill to the wood recycling contractor.
* Divert suitable organic wastes to composting facilities
* Make better use of staff to facilitate additional waste volume reduction.
* Review existing curbside recycling programs with the intent to improve these programs.

2. To conduct at least one public education activity per month through the end of 1997.
ACTIONS

* Upgrade existing hazardous materials handling/disposal/compliance programs.
* Create additional public information pamphlets and distribute to county residents.

3. To increase employee morale, development, and training activities through 1997.

ACTIONS

* Conduct a staff meeting at least once per month.
* Modify job descriptions to recognize changes that have occurred.
* Allow more freedom of action on the part of supervised employees.
* Conduct training sessions on solid and hazardous waste issues.

4. Remediate contaminated groundwater on landfill property by the end of 1997.
ACTIONS

* Acquire technology for cleanup purposes.
* Accelerate groundwater sampling to monitor cleanup efforts

1997 - 2001 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIONS
Following are the organization's key objectives that it hopes to achieve over the next 5 years. Anticipated actions are noted under each.

1. To establish a permanent hazardous waste disposal facility by 12-31-96.

ACTIONS

* Contract with consultant for site development.
* Build facility.
* Contract disposal.

2. To increase the accuracy of landfill charges.

ACTIONS

* Acquire updated computer compatible cash register.

3. To maximize the use of existing landfill for disposal.

ACTIONS

* Re-configure finished landfill design to allow for more waste containment.
* Encourage enhanced compaction activities for incoming waste.