San Diego Implements New Trash Collection Fee for Homeowners

News Summary

The San Diego City Council has approved a new trash collection fee for single-family homes, charging homeowners $43.60 per month starting July 2024. This change ends over a century of free services established under the People’s Ordinance in 1919. The council aims to generate an estimated $140 million annually amidst budget challenges. While some support the decision, concerns arise regarding its impact on low-income residents and potential foreclosures. Homeowners can choose from different service bundles, and the city has allocated funds for financial assistance programs.

San Diego – The San Diego City Council has voted to implement a new trash collection fee for single-family homes, marking a significant change in the way waste management services are funded in the city. The council approved the fee 7-2, which will charge homeowners $43.60 per month. This new fee will be collected twice a year alongside property taxes, beginning on July 1, 2024.

This decision comes after more than a century of providing free trash collection services, a benefit established under the People’s Ordinance in 1919. The move to impose a fee aims to generate an estimated $140 million annually for the city’s budget, which is facing financial challenges.

The City Council opted to utilize the county’s property tax billing system to facilitate the new fee, with the aim of decreasing billing costs and promoting timely payments from homeowners. The county will charge San Diego about $25,000 annually to manage the billing for approximately 226,495 properties.

Concerns and Criticism

Among those opposed to the new fee, Councilmember Raul Campillo expressed worries about how it would affect low-income homeowners and seniors in the community. While many residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the fee, the council received only about 46,500 protests, significantly fewer than the 113,000 required to challenge the fee’s implementation.

Fee Structure and Services Offered

35 gallons will pay a reduced fee of $32.82 per month, and they will receive a credit on their property tax bills in subsequent years. Pricing for the fee is anticipated to rise by $10 to $14 monthly by July 2028. Additionally, customers whose trash containers are damaged or stolen will have them replaced at no charge.

Background and Future Developments

$80 million by no longer offering free trash collection services. The financial adjustments come amid broader budget considerations as the city aims to cover various services and maintain financial stability. Proposition 218, which requires voter approval for certain general tax increases and user fees. The lawsuit contends that the fee structure does not accurately reflect the actual costs of providing trash services. $3 million for financial assistance programs targeting low-income customers, although precise details on how this assistance will be distributed remain unclear. September 30, with new bins scheduled for delivery starting in October. This marks a changing landscape for waste management in San Diego, with significant implications for homeowners as the city adjusts its services to better meet financial needs.

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Additional Resources

• 10 News
• San Diego Union Tribune
• NBC San Diego
• CBS 8
• Google Search: San Diego trash fees