The Orange County Board of Commissioners will discuss Thursday whether to privatize the county’s curbside solid waste and recycling services.

The board will meet at 7 p.m. at the Department of Social Services, 113 Mayo St., in Hillsborough.

The idea came up earlier this year after the N.C. Supreme Court voided a Cabarrus County impact fees program, Assistant County Manager Michael Talbert said. The county is weighing its options, he said.

County Attorney John Roberts said the unique nature of the county’s recycling program makes it a target. The state Legislature and the appellate courts have moved toward limiting local authority over the last several years, he said.

While private companies don’t recycle as many types of materials as Orange County does, Talbert said they could provide curbside service to more homes that want it.

Talbert, Carrboro Town Manager David Andrews and Chapel Hill Town Manager Roger Stancil agreed the move also would have implications for joint recycling operations. The town managers said their respective boards want to hear from the commissioners before making any decisions.

The commissioners could hold a public hearing April 23. The change would go into effect until July 2014.