Landfill Operators Extend Deadline

The operators of the Simi Valley Landfill have given five Ventura County cities and the county Board of Supervisors another two weeks to consider a proposal that would lower trash dumping fees, but would also lock cities into dropping their waste at the Simi landfill for the next 15 years.

The deadline to sign the agreement was supposed to be today, but with only two east county cities on board, the landfill operators, Waste Management Inc., decided to extend the deadline until March 15 while county officials and other cities consider the proposal.

The Moorpark and Simi Valley city councils have already signed off on the agreement, which would guarantee the delivery of at least 1,800 tons of trash a day to the landfill in exchange for a 34% reduction in dumping fees.

But for the agreement to work, officials from Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, and possibly Ventura, as well as the county, would have to pledge to deliver their waste to the landfill.

If those approvals can be obtained, the landfill operator would guarantee the rate until the dump fills up around the year 2013, said Joe Hreha, a deputy director of Simi Valley’s Environmental Services Department.

But with the possibility of using other facilities now on the table--such as Toland Landfill, or Weldon Canyon Dump, if it is ever approved--county officials say they need more time to consider the proposal.

The city of Ventura recently voted against the agreement, but may consider using the facility later. Other cities, including Thousand Oaks and Camarillo, have expressed concerns about locking themselves into such a long-term contract, but have not ruled out signing.

“It may be that we have to renegotiate the agreement, but we’ll have to wait and see,” Hreha said.

The county Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider the proposal at a March 12 meeting.