Rural refuse hikes to go before supervisors

In the wake of fee increases for refuse haulers dumping at county landfills, those haulers are now before the Tulare County Board of Supervisors seeking rate increases for their rural customers.

During Tuesday’s regular board meeting, the board will hold a public hearing before considering rate increases for all areas of the county, including Porterville and Lindsay, except for Area F, which is connected to the city of Visalia.

The haulers are seeking to have the increases go into effect May 1.

“The Tulare County Refuse Removal Association has requested a rate increase to offset changes to the Tulare County Solid Waste System and a cost of living adjustment,” the county staff report reads.

The staff report says the last increase was in June of 2008 and that was a 10 percent hike.

This time, TCRRA, which is made up of the private haulers, is seeking a $2.50 a month increase for residential service (11 percent), and a 8.5 percent increase for commercial service with 15 percent added to the base rate for recycling services. That staff report indicates that means a 12 percent increase for most commercial customers.

Staff is recommending an 8 percent increase to both residential and commercial rates. The report notes that all rates will be higher than city rates, except for in the city of Dinuba.

If approved the basic curbside rate will go from $22.25 to $24 a month in rural areas, but rates vary based on size of container and many other factors.

In other matters:

•  Approve the submittal of request for 2013 gaming funds of $268,000 to make improvements to Success Valley Drive and for the Reservation Road Safety Enhancement Project.

• Approve a grant application to the Office on the Violence Against Women for up to $300,000.

•  Consider prohibiting the drinking of alcohol in all county parks on Saturday, March 30, and Easter Sunday, March 31.