The Scotland County Board of Commissioners spent more than four hours at its annual retreat Thursday, discussing long-and short-term issues, including the possible expansion of the county landfill.

The commissioners said the issue needs to be decided prior to the current landfill's contract ending in eight years.

Still, board Chairman J.D. Willis tried to distance himself from the issue.

"A decision on what course to take regarding the landfill will not be made today, but whatever the board decides, it will not be based on a J.D recommendation; it will be a board decision. I'll not take the heat as I did three years ago during negotiations with Waste Management, when all the fire fell on me. I don't care if the landfill is expanded or not," he said. "It makes no personal difference to me."

County Manager Kevin Patterson outlined three potential directions the board might consider: raising the "tipping fees", i.e. the charge for the dumping of waste at a landfill, which is currently set at $43 per ton; seeking other markets to bring waste from outside areas to Scotland County in order to increase revenue; or to open a larger facility utilizing part of the current landfill while encompassing areas adjacent to it.

"We have an estimated 12 years of life left in the existing landfill," Patterson said. "There are three years left on the contract we currently have with Republic Services, and we have the option of adding another five to that. When these eight years are up, we will have to negotiate another agreement with Republic to bury our waste."

Patterson compared arranging a new contract with trying to negotiate the price of one's groceries at Wal-Mart.

"We will be in a consumer role," he said.

Commissioner Guy McCook asked Patterson how much money had been set aside to cover the $900,000 in closure costs needed when the landfill has run its course.

"None," Patterson said. "If we did nothing other than raise the tipping fees $7 per ton for 12 years, that would only cover closure and operating costs of the existing landfill."

Willis asked if city residents would see a $7 increase in utility bills should the raised fee be implemented.

"Not that much, but they would see some type of an increase," Patterson said.

Commissioner Clarence McPhatter asked the county manager for his recommendations.

"We are going to have to find ways to increase the revenues at the landfill," Patterson said. "Do we want to change gears and become a host landfill, selling space? If we continue the current process and let the landfill close, we will have to pay what the market demands when we try to renegotiate the contract."

McCook suggested the board "reach out to the city of Laurinburg" to discuss the issue, with other county municipalities taking part as well.

Commissioner John Alford was against any kind of additional fees charged to Scotland County residents.

"I don't think anyone on the city council will agree to an increase," he said. "We need to find a way to do this, by keeping it in house and not raising fees or by outsourcing, without costing taxpayers a cent. Many small businesses can't afford to pay one penny more in taxes."

Commissioners Joyce McDow and Bob Davis each cautioned the commissioners to think how their actions will impact the coming generations.

"We have a responsibility to the future," McDow said. "I hate to think that 18 to 20 years down the road, no one will know what to do with all this waste."

Davis agreed.

"We need to make a plan, get our ducks in a row, and concentrate on new industries, the Interstate system, and the highway infrastructure. This is most important for the children: what we do now will effect these kids 30, 40, 50 years in the future. I don't want to bury them in garbage."

Patterson said he would need to know from the commissioners soon if the board wants to change policy.

Considering the ramifications of expanding the existing facility on Patterson Road, and the amount of leakage that would ensue, the county manager said studies have shown that a lined landfill is capable of containing leaks at a much greater rate than if unlined. He used the example of the existing facility, a 23 acre, unlined area as being shown to emit 5.7 million gallons of leakage per year. On the other hand, a conceptual 236 acre lined landfill would leak a comparatively meager 114 gallons per year.

Davis took issue with the findings, saying that other studies have shown a rate of one gallon per acre per day of leakage would result from a lined landfill.

"That's still considerably less than 5.7 million," Patterson said.

In other business, Patterson reviewed the county's 10 year capital plan, which included renovations to existing structures, the purchase of new sheriff's vehicles, fire trucks and ambulances, and the acquisition of the Speller building in downtown Laurinburg.

"The Speller building, which will be vacated when Richmond Community College moves to its new location, has been promised to the county if we want it," Patterson said. "The tax department and utility bill collection department could be relocated there, if the decision is made to acquire it."

Patterson said security modifications would be needed if those offices moved into the building.

"With 30 million per year in property taxes and utilities collected there, we would need to increase security," he said.

After courthouse space is freed following the relocation of the two agencies, Patterson foresees the possibility of the Department of Social Services' child support unit moving into the courthouse.

"I would recommend moving them to the courthouse, since they spend 30 to 40 percent of their time there anyway," he said. "And it might make a more intimidating environment for those who don't want to pay."

On law enforcement car acquisitions, Patterson stated that the county would return to purchasing Ford Crown Victorias instead of the "gas guzzling" Dodge Chargers bought in the past.

"The maintenance on the Dodge Chargers was costly," Patterson said. "It was their first year out, they looked great, and they cost the same as the Crown Victorias."

McCook suggested the board consult a study in advance of future deputies vehicles purchases to determine maintenance costs before a sale is made.

"Let's try to do our homework better next time," he said.