PLACENTIA : City OKs 19-Cent Hike in Trash Rates

The City Council has approved a 19-cent increase in the monthly trash fee for city residents, and officials warned residents to expect future hikes as the cost of dumping trash at county landfills rises.

Though the county is not expected to increase landfill costs this year, City Administrator Robert D’Amato said he expects future fee hikes.

“The county is not going to lose money on landfill operations,” D’Amato said. “The cost is going to go up and up.”

The 1.5% increase, to $12.79 a month, includes a 5-cent addition for trash collection, a 13-cent increase for recycling collection and a 1-cent increase in the bulky item pickup charge.

The new rate, which goes into effect July 1, is the sixth lowest of the 13 cities in the county with comparable service, according to a city staff report.

Commercial trash rates will also increase between 1.6% and 3.1% a month, depending on the type of trash container.

Several residents said the price increase proves that Taormina Industries is an inefficient trash hauler and that the city should hire a new company.

“If they have to have two raises in one year, maybe we’re with the wrong contractor,” said Sharon Burnside during a public hearing on the proposed increase.