Latest letters from Citrus Heights Sentinel readers offer varying responses and criticism related to waste fee increases and a related state mandate regarding food waste recycling.
State should fund local recycling mandate
I am all for composting to create quality soil. After seeing “Kiss the Ground” on Netflix, our soil health is vital to helping combat climate issues. Taking green waste out of the landfill is important to reducing methane.
Agreed, that a state mandate should come with funding from the state to offset cost. How are those in multi-home developments meeting this mandate with only a garbage dumpster and a blue recycling dumpster? Green waste is removed by landscaping companies in those communities. I think that city mayors need to gather together and collectively put pressure on the state for funding.
-Kimberly Montgomery, Citrus Heights
Where will the green waste go?
Since Republic is going to compost our green waste and food waste, what are they going to do with the finished product? If they sell it, shouldn’t our rates go down since we are providing the materials to make a state-compliant compost? If they don’t sell it, shouldn’t it be made available to our city residence? At least we could save money not buying fertilizer.
-Bill Shirley, Citrus Heights
Costs are too high, but city can’t afford $10k for non-compliance
…It was extremely irresponsible, and just playing into politics, for the two council members to vote against doing this. This city, which I love living in, cannot afford to spend $10,000/day for non-compliance. Never mind thinking that a lawsuit would be filed. The costs associated with that for that kind of an issue cannot be won.
These types of additional fees are making it more expensive to homeowners and are now having to pass on these costs to renters. My own homeowner is leaving the state and will be selling the house I live in. He is leaving because things are getting so much more expensive to live in this state, not just as a citizen but as a landlord. And I get it. I’m thinking about this too.
I do understand the need for recycling and composting. But at the end of the day, what should have been done is that the City Council as a whole, should have foreseen this as an upcoming expense and prepared for it by either negotiating or renegotiating our city’s contract with Republic. I wish the City of Citrus Heights the best, but no matter what, I will not be able to rent in this city as the costs are going to be high no matter what.
-Diane Doe, Citrus Heights
*Letters over 250-word limit have been reduced in length.
Related article: Citrus Heights council votes 3-2 for waste fee hike, amid opposition
