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More cash for trash
Garbage rates to rise; fuel costs cited
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CommentNapa garbage rates are going up 3.45 percent Sept. 1 to cover higher fuel and wage costs, as well as an additional code enforcement officer.
The Napa City Council unanimously approved new rates Tuesday night after receiving no public protests. Notices of the rate hike had been sent to 23,000 customers.
The Napa City Council unanimously approved new rates Tuesday night after receiving no public protests. Notices of the rate hike had been sent to 23,000 customers.
Garbage and recycling revenues will pay 75 percent of the cost of hiring the city’s third code enforcement officer, said Kevin Miller, the city’s materials diversion administrator.
The city will be able to do a better job responding to complaints about illegal dumping, trash accumulating in neighborhoods and violations of the city’s exclusive contract with Napa Recycling and Waste Services for residential and commercial pickup, he said.
The city will be able to do a better job responding to complaints about illegal dumping, trash accumulating in neighborhoods and violations of the city’s exclusive contract with Napa Recycling and Waste Services for residential and commercial pickup, he said.
Customers who have 35-gallon waste carts will pay $21.34 a month, an increase of 71 cents. Households with 65-gallon carts will pay $29.96, a jump of $2.45.
The rate for 65-gallon carts is going up more than 3.45 percent after being kept artificially low for years, Miller said. The goal is to have rates proportional to cart size, he said.
The rate for 65-gallon carts is going up more than 3.45 percent after being kept artificially low for years, Miller said. The goal is to have rates proportional to cart size, he said.
Because the city wants to promote recycling, customers are charged only for their garbage. Carts filled with yard waste and recycling are free.
As part of the new rates, the city and Napa Recycle and Waste Services expanded recycling July 1 to include almost all plastics. Yogurt tubs, deli trays, irrigation pipe and plastic toys are no longer taboo.
Styrofoam, plastic bags, bubble wrap and camera film continue to be unacceptable.
As more items qualify for recycling, many households may be able to get by with smaller garbage carts, thus lowering their cost, City Councilman Jim Krider said.
Garbage rates were last raised in January 2007. Miller predicted modest increases in the future, unlike the 1990s when there were often sharp swings.
The city now has $6 million in a garbage reserve fund, compared to just $200,000 three years ago, Miller said. The city would dip into this fund in years when exceptional costs threatened rate stability, he said.
As part of the new rates, the city and Napa Recycle and Waste Services expanded recycling July 1 to include almost all plastics. Yogurt tubs, deli trays, irrigation pipe and plastic toys are no longer taboo.
Styrofoam, plastic bags, bubble wrap and camera film continue to be unacceptable.
As more items qualify for recycling, many households may be able to get by with smaller garbage carts, thus lowering their cost, City Councilman Jim Krider said.
Garbage rates were last raised in January 2007. Miller predicted modest increases in the future, unlike the 1990s when there were often sharp swings.
The city now has $6 million in a garbage reserve fund, compared to just $200,000 three years ago, Miller said. The city would dip into this fund in years when exceptional costs threatened rate stability, he said.
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JMB wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:20 AM:
bloodagar wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:50 AM:
Rich wrote on Aug 7, 2008 1:10 PM:
As a provider of recycling screens to various garbage companies I know what these people make from our stuff and believe me it ain't peanuts. "
Dwayne wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:43 PM:
Instead of adding it on to the next statement and catching the error there, they spent 41-cents for a stamp, plus envelope and paper and time, to send me a bill for the 53-cents. I just waited until the next billing cycle to add on the 53-cents, but in the meantime they sent two 'late' notices (2 X 41-cents). Now, they were 29-cents in the hole over the whole deal.
Since that's a good indication of how they manage their business in all areas, then I guess they do need a rate increase.
Meanwhile, they want a rate increase while they currently have $6-million in a slush fund...??? Sounds greedy to me.... "
14obama wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:50 PM: