No action taken on agreement

           No action was taken Thursday on a proposed interlocal agreement between Marion County and the 12 incorporated cities, dealing with disposal of solid waste.      Commissioners reviewed the draft Thursday in a special meeting. Most of the meeting was conducted in executive session so they could consult with Jim Kaup, special county attorney for solid waste issues, and Susan Robson county attorney.      Monday they met with their attorneys again, but the changes to the draft, which were described as minor, had not been made.      It will be discussed again at their meeting Monday.      The agreement would last three years and will be extended an additional two years unless a city or the county provides written notice to all participants on or before Aug. 31, 2003.      All cities would agree to take "all reasonable measures" to ensure all household and commercial solid waste generated within the city limits is delivered to the transfer station.      The cities would make monthly payments to the county of $6.25 per residence and $10 per business generating trash. The number of residences and business will be determined by the county each January, using information provided by the county appraiser's office.      A property may submit a sworn affidavit to their city clerk, stating that their property not be charged due to vacancy. Vacancy will be determined by a residence being unoccupied for three consecutive months or the utilities being disconnected. Business property vacancy will be determined by utilities having been disconnected.      The draft says home-based businesses, hotels, motels, retirement homes, "and similar establishments" will be considered businesses.      Residences are considered living quarters designed for occupancy by a single family. The draft says each mobile home in a mobile home park, each apartment in a building, and each independent living unit in a retirement center are considered separate residences.      A delegation from subsidized housing programs met with commissioners Monday to ask that their facilities be considered commercial properties. Even though residents live in separate units, rent is based on income and in many cases, increases in basic utility service cannot be passed on to the individual, they said.      The increase in solid waste fees alone would be more than $1,800 annually for a 24-unit complex, they said. If their city or trash hauler figured their portion of the bill per-residence as well, the increase would be even more.      The draft also says the price can increase each Sept. 9 by multiplying the fee times one plus the percentage by which the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers for the Topeka metropolitan "All Items" has increased or decreased from the previous year.      Rex Savage of KC Development said Thursday that, while exact CPI figures had not been released, estimates are they would increase trash disposal fees by about 80 cents.      Commissioners wanted the agreement in place by Nov. 1 so the initial payment can be made by Nov. 30, but that may be difficult. Some cities say they need more time to draw up related ordinances, requiring city residents to participate in trash service.      "It will go to the cities first," Commissioner Bob Hein said. "We'll be the last ones to sign it."      County officials say the interlocal agreements must be reviewed and approved by the state attorney general's office and filed with the secretary of state before they can be enforced.