Mission Statement:   The mission of the Countywide Solid Waste Office is to provide technical and financial assistance to the Participating Jurisdictions of the regional planning area in order to comply with Federal and State solid and hazardous waste regulations and to assist the Participating Jurisdictions in implementing their adopted solid waste management plans and programs contained within.

The Solid Waste Program Office also assists the SWAC in preparing recommendations on solid and hazardous waste issues for the elected officials of the Participating Jurisdictions. As mandated by RCW 70.95.165 the SWAC is an ongoing advisory committee. The SWAC is the focal point of the public involvement effort used in the planning, development and implementation of the SWMP. The SWAC also assists the Participating Jurisdictions in the development of solid and hazardous waste ordinances, rules, guidelines and policies prior to their adoption.

The Douglas County Comprehensive Solid Waste Program Office (DCSWPO) is responsible for the following functions and tasks:

-                    Planning - Prepare, amend and revise the DCCSWMP as required in order to keep the participating jurisdictions in compliance with Chapters 70.95 and

                     70.105 RCW; research and prepare reports and studies as required.

-                    Budgeting - Prepare, administer and monitor the annual Countywide Solid Waste Implementation Fund #144 budget; administer and monitor the

                     Countywide Solid Waste Capital Reserve Fund #305; prepare, administer and monitor grants to assist with the implementation of the DCCSWMP.

                     Budgeting - Prepare, administer and monitor the annual Countywide Litter Control Program Fund #160 budget; administer and monitor the

                     Countywide Litter Control Capital Reserve Fund #313; prepare, administer and monitor grants to assist with the implementation of the DCCSWMP.

-                    Record Keeping - Prepare and track expenditures and revenues as required by the Washington State Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System

                     (BARS); monitor and track program outcomes as required by grant guidelines; prepare budgetary and program reports as required.

-                    Contracts - Prepare, administer and monitor agreements to implement the programs identified within the DCSWMP; prepare Requests for Proposals

                     (RFP) as required by county policy and guidelines.

-                    Program Development - Research and develop programs as directed by the participating jurisdictions and the Douglas County Solid Waste Advisory

                     Committee (SWAC); network with other agencies, departments and counties to keep current with what programs are being offered and are successful.

-                    Program Coordination - Maintain a liaison with the Department of Ecology (DOE), the Chelan-Douglas Health District (CDHD) and other agencies,

                     departments, groups and organizations to implement the DCCSWMP; function as a clearing house for all solid and hazardous waste issues within the RPA.

-                    Technical Assistance - Provide information concerning regulations, requirements, guidance, best management practices, alternatives and options with

                      regard to solid and hazardous waste issues; prepare operations and health and safety plans for all collection events and facilities; maintain a solid and

                      hazardous waste resource center.

-                    Public Outreach & Education - Prepare educational materials, program posters and brochures about solid and hazardous waste programs; provide solid

                     and hazardous waste information and program information to the public through the media, workshops and personal communications; maintain a solid

                     and hazardous waste video library.

-                    Operations - Administer and oversee the day-to-day operations of the DCSWPO; assist the participating jurisdictions in promoting and offering their

                     community programs; provide program supplies, participant surveys, health and safety plans, and reporting forms to the participating jurisdictions;

                     maintain a program supply inventory and replenish the program supplies as needed.

-                    Capital Improvements - Administer and coordinate the six-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) identified within the DCCSWMP; prepare and monitor

                     capital item purchases and agreements.

-                    Personnel - Advertise for, interview, hire, train and evaluate DCSWPO staff according to county policy and guidelines; maintain personnel files and

                     records on all DCSWMPO staff; prepare, verify and approve payroll.