Mimi Willard on Garbage Rate Hikes in the MarinIJ

Routine increases in garbage collection fees plus the introduction of a garbage-related regulatory compliance charge sparked an accusation Tuesday that the county is profiting from garbage rate hikes.

During a public hearing on the fee increases, Mimi Willard of Kentfield, founder and president of the Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers, said, “When the supervisors approve rate hikes, the general fund benefits.”

Routine increases in garbage collection fees plus the introduction of a garbage-related regulatory compliance charge sparked an accusation Tuesday that the county is profiting from garbage rate hikes.

During a public hearing on the fee increases, Mimi Willard of Kentfield, founder and president of the Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers, said, “When the supervisors approve rate hikes, the general fund benefits.”

County Administrator Matthew Hymel responded, “We’re not charging more than it costs to provide the service.”

The Marin County Board of Supervisors approved a 5.57 percent increase for garbage collection and recycling for the Central Marin franchise areas 1-6 and Ross Valley North and South Franchise areas, which are serviced by Marin Sanitary Service.

“The supervisors also approved an additional 3.74 percent increase to defray the county’s costs for overseeing compliance with three relatively new state laws related to garbage disposal and greenhouse gases.

As result, the affected Marin residents will see their rates rise by about 9 percent. They will be paying $43.32 per month for a standard 32-gallon can.”

“My issue is not with Marin Sanitary per se,” Willard said. “They are generally well regarded and subject to periodic independent cost of service analysis. The problem that I see is the supervisors’ role in rubber-stamping high rates and increases and in slapping on additional fees.” -Mimi Willard

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Mimi Willard on Garbage Rate Hikes in the MarinIJ
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