SAN FERNANDO : Proposal Would Hike Waste Fees for Firms
Businesses ranging from restaurants to auto body shops may see a sharp increase in bills for the disposal of industrial wastes by this summer.
An ordinance was introduced in the San Fernando City Council Monday that would shift the burden of paying for industrial waste disposal from residents and commercial businesses to 64 businesses that require an industrial waste permit.
The city pays $70,000 a year for inspections and other costs associated with the industrial waste program, but it only collects $4,000 in annual fees. The remainder was subsidized by more than 5,000 residents and commercial business owners, who paid roughly 55 cents per month.
“The rates were set so low the industries were not really paying their own way,” said Jerry Wedding, the city engineer, in an interview. “We recommended that the City Council think about distributing the cost more fairly.”
Under the current fee schedule, the annual inspection fee ranges from $55 to $660. The new fees would nearly double, ranging from $105 to $1,257.
A second reading of the ordinance is scheduled June 21. If adopted, the ordinance will go into effect on July 21.
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