Islamorada businesses may be required to recycle their solid waste if recommendations by an ad hoc committee are adopted.</p><p>The proposal appears to have the support of the majority of the five-member Village Council, but it will be discussed further during a March 15 workshop set for 3 p.m. at Founders Park. Councilman David Purdo said he has concerns about mandating businesses take part in recycling.</p><p>John Sutter, Islamorada's director of public works, warned council members that implementing the program would mean more "horsepower" -- i.e., more village employees.</p><p>"It is going to take a dedicated person and a very talented person to promote a recycling mentality," Sutter said.</p><p>Under the proposal, all businesses, multi-family residential units and construction companies would have to recycle their recyclable materials or pay an "opt-out" fee of between $100 and $500 monthly, depending on volume, according to the committee's report. The report was presented at the Feb. 27 Village Council meeting by committee chairman and former councilman and mayor Dave Boerner.</p><p>The businesses could either recycle through the village's contracted solid-waste provider -- Advanced Disposal Inc. (formerly Veolia ES Solid Waste Southeast Inc.) -- or self-haul to a commercial recycling facility. Either way, the business would have to maintain records and receipts as evidence of compliance.</p><p>In 2010, Florida adopted a 75 percent recycling goal by 2020. Islamorada's recycling rate is in the teens, according to the committee report. Islamorada's commercial recycling rate is less than 7 percent, a number committee members refer to as "dismal" in their report.</p><p>Monroe County's overall recycling rate is about 21 percent, compared to 24 percent in Miami-Dade County, 28 percent in Broward and 41 percent each in Collier and Lee counties, the report states.</p><p>Boerner acknowledged there would be initial cost increases to businesses as a result of the proposed mandate, but direct financial savings would be realized in the long term.</p><p><B>Village manager's contract</B></p><p>Also at last week's meeting, Councilman Mike Forster wanted to take out an option in Village Manager Ed Koconis' annual contract, allowing him to give up his position and return to his previous post as planning director.</p><p>Koconis was promoted to village manager in 2010 following the forced resignation of Ken Fields, to whom the village controversially paid $160,000 on his way out.</p><p>Koconis, who makes about $140,000 a year, told council members that he does not want to give up his fallback option. Village attorney Nina Boniske said this means the council would have to negotiate a new contract with Koconis if members insist of doing away with the provision.</p><p>Koconis is really serving in two roles. He still acts as head of planning while serving as manager. He argued at the meeting that this saves the village another $100,000 salary. He took a $5,000-a-year raise when he accepted the manager job in December 2011.</p><p>The issue is expected to come up again at the March 28 council meeting.