CEC-What is it?
What does CEC mean listed on my bill? County Environmental Charge
WHAT IS THE COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL CHARGE?
The County Environmental Charge (CEC) replaces the Waste Management Service Charge that Washington County has collected on the property tax statement since the mid-1980’s. Revenues from the CEC are used for solid and hazardous waste services such as household hazardous waste collections, recycling grants to cities and townships, community-wide programs, and resource recovery. With the CEC in place, the waste management service charge on the property tax statement is reduced to $3.00 for residential parcels and is eliminated from non-residential/business parcels.
WHAT ARE THE CEC RATES FOR RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL ACCOUNTS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY?
The rate is 35% for residential and non-residential customers.
HOW IS THE CEC RATE DETERMINED?
The rate is determined annually by the amount of revenue needed to operate county waste management services. The county reviews the rate each year based on projected budgets.
The CEC funds are used for a variety of services: household hazardous waste, residential and business recycling, resource recovery, etc. The largest percentage of the CEC is used for resource recovery services.
The county has an agreement with Resource Recovery Technologies to operate the Ramsey/Washington Resource Recovery Facility in Newport which processes garbage into a fuel source.
ARE RESIDENTS PAYING MORE WITH THE CEC THAN WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PAID ON THE PROPERTY TAX STATEMENT?
The amount a resident pays in CEC depends on the amount and cost of garbage service. Each city and township in the county has different garbage collection companies, collection arrangements, and rates and fees, but on the average, those residents with larger volume service, will pay more than the old property tax system. Residents with lower service levels will pay less.
WHO PAYS THE CEC?
All generators of mixed municipal solid waste (garbage) will pay the CEC. Haulers are required to collect and remit the CEC from their customers through garbage bills. In most municipalities with organized collection service, whoever issues the bills to customers will collect and remit the CEC. Self-haulers will be responsible to pay the CEC for themselves.
WHEN DID THE CEC TAKE EFFECT?
Haulers were required to collect the CEC for services provided as of April 1, 2003.
WHY IS THE COUNTY CHANGING THE WAY IT COLLECTS THIS MONEY?
The Washington County Board has determined that the CEC is more closely related to volume of waste than the former flat charge on the property tax statement so those who generate more waste will pay more than those who do not. In addition, since the charge is not applied to recycling or composting services, the CEC provides a financial incentive to reduce, recycle, and compost.
WILL THE % RATE OF THE CEC CHANGE IN FUTURE YEARS?
Yes, The rate is determined by the amount of revenue needed to operate county waste management services. Washington County will review the percentage rate each year based on projected budgets.
WHAT IS THE REVENUE FROM THE CEC USED FOR?
The revenues raised through the CEC will fund the same environmental program areas as the revenues raised through the waste management service charge on the property tax statement: household hazardous waste, recycling grants to cities and townships, and community-wide programs.
WHY DOES WASHINGTON COUNTY CARE ABOUT HOW WASTE IS MANAGED?
All counties in Minnesota, including Washington County, have been given the responsibility of planning and implementing programs that meet the State’s waste reduction, recycling and waste processing goals. Washington County has taken its responsibilities seriously and provides household hazardous waste services, funding for local recycling programs, a resource recovery facility, and other services to protect public health and the environment. The CEC pays for these services.
WHAT IS THE 9.75% I ALREADY PAY?
This amount goes directly to the State of Minnesota and is used primarily for old landfill clean-up costs and general fund expenditures.
The State of Minnesota will spend about $500,000,000 during the next 20 years to clean up soil and groundwater contamination caused by old landfills. The County Environmental Charge helps pay for programs that prevent future damage to our environment and pocketbooks.
WHO SHOULD I CALL WITH QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
Washington County, MN – Official Website – County Environmental Charge
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You can send an e-mail to: PHE@co.washington.mn.us or call 651-430-6655.