Citing higher costs, El Centro seeking to raise trash rates
EL CENTRO — The City Council on Tuesday took the first steps toward adapting its trash-collection system to conform to exacting state recycling laws, including laying the groundwork for a rate increase.
One measure involved amending its current 16-year contract with trash hauler CR&R. The second was to schedule a state-required public hearing and vote from trash customers on proposed rate increases. Both passed unanimously.
“The city is proposing to increase trash and recycle collection rates due to increasing costs of service and costs associated with compliance with new state regulations,” states a city Public Works Department report prepared for Tuesday’s council meeting.
Poor prices for recyclables also play a role in the need for higher rates, the report adds.
The proposed one-time 11.2-percent increase for residential pickup for the period of July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, exceeds the typical 4-percent annual increase ceiling under the CR&R contract. It would increase the monthly fee from $20.64 to $22.95.
The amount would revert back to 4 percent from 2023 to 2027.
The various commercial rates would rise 7 percent over current levels for the period of July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.
Moreover, for the same reason rates need to increase, it will no longer be feasible to let commercial accounts have free blue recycling containers.
“Multi-family and commercial recycling services will be charged 75 percent of the cost of standard refuse rates. Understanding the cost impact … this is proposed to be phased in over two years,” the report states.
The process for seeking the rate increase requires the city to mail information on the proposal to every resident and property owner, including tenants who directly pay for trash-collection. The city also must hold a public hearing on the matter, which is scheduled for 6 p.m., June 7 in the City Council Chambers at 1275 W. Main St.
The council must reject the fee increase if a majority of those eligible to vote oppose it either in writing or in person at the hearing. Votes can be made until the hearing ends.
The process is required under Proposition 218, the Right to Vote on Taxes Act of 1996. It requires local governments to follow specified procedures before increasing property-related fees such as rates imposed for trash collection.
CR&R has had the city trash-hauling contract since 2007 and the agreement has undergone several amendments over the years. The consequences for failing to approve the CR&R contract act are ominously described in the report’s options for the council.
“Staff recommendation: 1. Approve the amended and restated agreement. 2: Alternatively, do not approve, keep services as is, which will result in a violation…and expose the city to CalRecycle fines of up to $10,000 per day.”
Some of the new recycling requirements involve green and organic waste, such as from discarded food.