Glendale set to raise trash pick-up rates

Josh Kleinbaum

Getting rid of the trash is about to cost a little more cash.

City officials have proposed a 5% rate increase for refuse

collection, which will generate $650,000 to pay for capital

improvements. The increase will cost most families about 50 cents

per month.

The higher fee will help cover the costs for bulky collection

pickup, recycling, a new radio system for city workers, and other

increases in expenses.

“This is a very fuel-intensive operation, so fuel prices have hit

us,” Public Works Director Steve Zurn said.

“Even though we are trying to keep pace with the costs, we’re

still well below what other municipalities are charging their

residents.”

The city’s proposal increased the rate for a single-family house

from $12.83 to $13.87 per month. Pasadena charges $26.84 for the same

service and Burbank charges $29.15.

From 1991 to 2001, the city did not raise its rates. It has every

year since.

“Instead of trying to do the rate increase at one shot and raise

it $3, we started doing it one dollar at a time,” Mayor Bob Yousefian

said.

“It’s a little easier on folks, not one huge jump at one time.

This is a continuation of the plan put into effect about three years

ago.”

While nobody welcomes a fee hike, residents seemed to be used to

rising utility rates.

“I don’t like it, but I figure, oh well, we have to pay it

anyway,” said Linda Murphy, a resident who received a letter from

Zurn informing her of the increase.

“It’s just like everything else. They raise water, they raise

electricity. It’s just one of those things that we’re going to have

to deal with.”

The City Council will hold a public hearing July 6 on the increase

and vote on the issue. If approved, the new rate will begin in

August.