Base Year/Reporting Year Change Policy

Analysis

Relationship to Other Work at the Board

The separate March 1997 LAPC agenda item presenting multiple strategies for achieving the 50 percent diversion mandate includes two strategies that touch on topics discussed in this item. Strategy number 25 discusses measuring goal achievement by areas larger than individual jurisdictions; this item discusses the current option jurisdictions have to form regions for measuring goal achievement. Strategy number 26 discusses allowing jurisdictions to use a new base-year as a way to resolve base-year inaccuracies; this item also includes that method as a recommended option.

In addition, one of the most important tools the Working Group recommends Board staff develop is a solid waste generation computer modeling system to further assist jurisdictions in quantifying more accurate generation tonnage while minimizing associated costs. Board staff has spent extensive time in cooperation with waste haulers, local jurisdictions, and private consultants to develop such a model. A contract concept currently under consideration for the 1997-1998 fiscal year would provide the necessary funding for completion of the solid waste generation computer model.

Initial Investigation

Since 1994, Board staff have heard jurisdictions express concern regarding the accuracy of existing base-year data. As jurisdictions began to compare their original base-year data against more current disposal records, apparent discrepancies became evident. Board staff’s initial response was to conduct a telephone survey of jurisdictions throughout the state to investigate these concerns. Results of this investigation were presented to the LAPC and mailed to all jurisdictions in November 1995 in the document, "Staff Findings on Accuracy Problems in the Solid Waste Generation Studies’ Base-Year Data." A presentation was also made to the Local Government Technical Advisory Committee (LGTAC).

The investigation determined there was significant concern by jurisdictions throughout the state regarding their base-year data’s accuracy; however, the potential magnitude of the errors could not be ascertained. The most common problem identified in the survey was the allocation of countywide tonnage to individual jurisdictions. Other significant problems noted included the lack of scales at disposal facilities during the base-year (resulting in the use of estimated tonnage), and understated diversion tonnage due to difficulties in quantifying these amounts.

Formation of the Working Group

As a result of staff’s findings, in January 1996 the LAPC authorized the formation of the Working Group to address the base-year accuracy concerns. The scope of the Working Group was soon expanded to also address concerns raised by jurisdictions with their 1995 disposal reporting information, and apparent discrepancies between this information and their base-year data.

The Working Group includes approximately 25 members comprised of city and county staff, as well as some private waste management personnel, from throughout the state. In addition, over 100 interested parties, including LGTAC receive meeting minutes for review and comment.

Table of Contents | Base-Year Inaccuracies

Last updated: October 26, 2007