Sentinel staff report–
A public hearing will be held this Thursday regarding a significant rate increase for residential waste and recycling services in Citrus Heights.
The increase in fees comes as the city works to meet new state requirements to reduce methane emissions by reducing the amount of organic waste in landfills. Beginning this year, jurisdictions are required to provide weekly organic waste collection services, or face hefty penalties.
Under the new changes required by SB 1383, green waste carts will be collected weekly instead of bi-weekly, and residents will be required to place food scraps and food-soiled paper in the green bin.
As reported last month, 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.
A city spokeswoman said an average cost increase for residents will be about $7.10 per month, or $14.20 per every two-month billing cycle.
See prior article: Controversial organics waste program set to begin in Citrus Heights
The City Council will hold the upcoming public hearing during its Jan. 27 council meeting, which is being held remotely due to the current spike in COVID-19 cases. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and members of the public will be able to address the council live via Zoom, or by sending in an email beforehand.
According to an agenda for the meeting, comments received by email will be read out loud during the meeting, up to 250 words. A links to the Zoom meeting is included in the council’s agenda packet.
As required by Proposition 218, ratepayers can submit a written protest. If enough ratepayers oppose the increase, the fee increase could not legally go into effect — but Citrus Heights residents would likely lose other Republic Services waste services such as bulk waste pickup to offset the increased cost mandated by the state legislature.
