San Diego Proposes New Trash Pickup Fee for Homeowners

News Summary

San Diego officials are planning to introduce a new trash pickup fee for single-family homes, potentially starting on July 1, 2023. After the passing of Measure B in 2022, the initially estimated fee of $53 has been reduced to approximately $47.59 for homes using 95-gallon bins. Around 233,000 households will be affected, raising concerns about transparency and fairness, especially for low-income residents. A financial assistance program of $3 million is also being developed. The city aims to alleviate a budget deficit exceeding $250 million, while offering service upgrades like weekly recycling pickups.

San Diego officials are proposing a new trash pickup fee for single-family homes, which could be implemented as early as July 1, 2023. This move follows the passage of Measure B in 2022, allowing the city to charge homeowners for a service that was previously free. The initial estimated fee for trash collection was set at $53 per month, but revised calculations are now suggesting a lower fee of approximately $47.59 for homes utilizing 95-gallon bins. Homes with smaller bins may incur even less cost.

Approximately 233,000 single-family households will be impacted by this fee structure, prompting various concerns regarding the accuracy of the fee calculations. Experts have indicated that earlier estimates included “honest mistakes,” attributed to inaccurate data and miscalculations. A notable discrepancy came to light when it was revealed that the city had been providing complimentary trash service to about 13,000 customers for an extended period.

Former California assemblymember Lori Saldana has criticized the city for not presenting accurate numbers during the Measure B voting process. She referred to the discrepancies as a “bait-and-switch” tactic, raising alarms over transparency in the city’s financial dealings. Furthermore, the city is contending with a significant budget deficit exceeding $250 million. Implementing the new trash fee is projected to alleviate the financial strain, potentially saving over $60 million in the first year.

In addition to the fee, officials plan to introduce several service upgrades, such as weekly recycling pickups and bulky item pickups, which will increase operational costs associated with the service. As the fee system evolves, costs may escalate incrementally, with projections indicating that the rate could reach approximately $65 per month by 2027 and $66 by 2029.

To mitigate the impact on low-income households, the city has outlined a financial assistance program with a budget of $3 million to help cover the new trash fees. However, specific details of this assistance program are still being finalized. Comparing San Diego’s proposed fee structure, residents may find themselves paying more for trash collection than individuals in neighboring municipalities where private services are utilized.

Many residents are expressing concerns that this fee structure may impose an unfair burden, especially on those who produce less waste. The San Diego City Council is set to discuss the proposed fee structure in March, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for June 9, 2023. During this public hearing, residents will have the opportunity to voice their objections in a process governed by California Proposition 218.

The city is actively distributing flyers to inform the public about the upcoming hearing; however, some residents have reported that the language used in these flyers is convoluted, leading to accusations that the city is attempting to obscure the details of the process to minimize protest responses. Homeowners wishing to voice their dissent against the new fee are encouraged to submit written protests. These protests must be signed and returned via mail prior to the deadline that coincides with the scheduled public hearing.

In summary, San Diego is poised to implement a new trash pickup fee, a move that reflects broader budgetary dilemmas and potential service enhancements, albeit amidst concerns regarding the accuracy of fee calculations and the impact on residents’ finances. As the city navigates these changes, the upcoming public hearings will serve as a pivotal platform for residents to engage with the decision-making process.

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HERE Resources

San Diego Updates Trash Fees – What You Need to Know

Additional Resources

• San Diego Union Tribune: How did San Diego trash fees end up so much higher than predicted?
• Google Search: San Diego trash fees
• NBC San Diego: After criticism, San Diego lowers cost of proposed trash collection fee
• Wikipedia: Trash collection
• Fox 5 San Diego: San Diego is finalizing a new trash collection fee
• Google News: San Diego trash collection fee
• CBS 8: San Diego trash fee notices
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Waste management
• Axios: San Diego officials to vote on lower trash pickup fee
• Google Scholar: San Diego trash collection