Updated at 4:04 p.m., Nov. 4th–
By Mike Hazlip— Following a split vote from the City Council last week, Citrus Heights’ historically low waste collection fees appear set to significantly increase starting mid-next year as a result of a new state-mandated organic waste collection program.
The program, initiated with the passage of Senate Bill 1383 by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2016, aims to reduce methane emissions by reducing the amount of organic waste in landfills. The law requires jurisdictions to provide weekly organic waste collection services, or face hefty penalties.
Unless a majority of rate payers submit a written protest prior to an upcoming public hearing in January, fees are slated to jump by about $6 beginning in July 2022, rising from $23.61 for a typical 64-gallon garbage cart to $29.80, according to a staff report. Prices will then rise by up to 3.5% per year over the next five years, based on the Consumer Price Index.
In an email response to The Sentinel on Thursday, a city spokeswoman said the average cost increase for residents will be about $7.10 per month, or $14.20 per every two-month billing cycle.
Citrus Heights currently contracts with Republic Services for green waste collection every other week, but SB 1383 requires residents to add organic kitchen waste to the green waste container for a weekly pick up.
Weekly garbage service will remain unchanged, and recyclables will also continue with pickups every other week. The only service reduction will be that an optional second green waste container will no longer be available to be added for free, but will instead be charged an additional $14 fee for those needing the second cart. However, staff note this reduction is balanced out with weekly pickups of green waste, rather than bi-weekly pickups.
The new program will require three additional drivers, a part-time auditor, three vehicles, customer outreach and education, material processing, and administration costs, consultant Carrie Baxter told the council. The increased service is expected to cost the city an estimated $2 million annually, which will be passed along to residents through increased service costs.
Despite the increase, Citrus Heights’ rates will remain some of the lowest in the greater Sacramento area, including Folsom and Elk Grove, according to data presented by Baxter.
The City Council voted 3-2 to support the new program, although most council members expressed criticism of the state’s requirement. Councilman Bret Daniels objected to the program and related fee increase, voting no out of protest.
“I find the whole thing just over the top ridiculous,” Daniels said. “It’s a state-mandated thing, it’s unfunded, I’m going to vote no on it. It’s just symbolically, I know it’s going to pass and I know we’re going to move forward.”
Councilman Tim Schaefer joined Daniels in voting no after questioning General Services Department Operations Manager Mary Poole about sorting various waste items.
Councilwoman Jeannie Bruins noted that individuals who compost green waste or use their garbage disposal won’t utilize the program and called the increased cost “unfortunate.”
Bruins and Mayor Steve Miller both said they wanted to vote no on the fee increase, but reluctantly voted yes due to it being required by state law.
The mayor noted the program will mean more trucks on the road to dispose of the waste, commenting facetiously: “So we’re going to have increased use of fossil fuels to pick up some eggs and potatoes.”
A public hearing is slated for Jan. 27 where residents will have an opportunity to voice their position on the rate increase. As required by Proposition 218, rate payers will also be able to submit a written protest.
A Prop 218 notice is scheduled to be mailed to all rate payers by Dec. 11 with more information about the rate increase and instructions on how to submit a written protest.
Poole said a rate increase may be defeated if a majority of account holders submit a written protest. City Attorney Ryan Jones called that possibility “usually pretty unlikely,” but noted it “has happened on occasion.”
By Mike Hazlip—
Following a split vote from the City Council last week, Citrus Heights’ historically low waste collection fees appear set to significantly increase starting mid-next year as a result of a new state-mandated organic waste collection program.
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