The Dos Palos City Council met on April 15 and discussed a plan involving a refuse rate increase that will get the city out of debt.
The council also announced an opportunity to fill the vacant spot on the Dos Palos City Council, with applications opening April 21 and closing May 2 at 4 p.m.
Due to new state laws, trash fees across Merced County are rising and Dos Palos is no exception. Dos Palos is projected to have trash fee increases and street sweeping services put into effect in early July, if approved.
California’s SB1318 mandates the reduction of organic waste discarding. According to Merced County publications, these new regulations require significant changes in the county, and residents may experience increased monthly garbage and recycling service fees.
Assistant Dos Palos City Manager Manuela Sousa pointed out that Dos Palos has become indebted in the last few years because of undercharging. “We pay Mid Valley disposal over $34 just in the refuse and we are only collecting $31 at this moment so we are in the hole every month with that,” Sousa said.
The council was presented with four different rate structures that all have the same goal of achieving a stable balance over a fixed number of years. A five-year plan was created to comply with the necessary changes to secure enough funds to cover all costs associated with refuse collection and processing.
Mayor Katy Miller believes the council is working toward a choice with the least impact and shortest range. “This is just a step in the right direction to get us to where we really need to be and where we want to be and be eligible to have funding for more projects down the road,” Miller said.
Residents at the council meeting raised concerns about the cost impact for those who are low-income.
Councilmember Armando Bravo appreciated these concerns and commented publicly about the council’s intent. “I don’t want you guys to feel or think that we are up here making decisions to raise, raise, raise [costs],” said Bravo. “We do take into consideration our community members and their struggles, but at the same time our city itself is struggling.”
In compliance with Proposition 218, another meeting will be held on May 6 for a workshop that will allow public comment. Ultimately the rate increase structure will be selected on May 20 and be effective by July 1.
The council is also looking to have an outside contract for street sweeping services and to establish a rate to cover costs. City Manager Dewayne Jones mentioned that the current Dos Palos street sweeper is unreliable.
“With a contract company they would be very on the spot; we would have certain days that our streets are swept versus right now it’s just hit or miss, and things pile up” Jones said. “We are looking for consistency in getting our streets swept.”
In other actions the council presented awards to the city’s police department and announced LightHouse Ministries as the winner of the firework sales permit lottery.
