A Nov. 5, 2012 photo shows public works employees tossing waterlogged bedding into a garbage truck in Point Pleasant Beach N.J. a week after Superstorm Sandy roared through. Debris disposal costs are a major expense for towns that were hard hit by the storm. Even with federal reimbursement for much of the cleanup and rebuilding expenses, these towns could be facing property tax hikes next year as a result of the unexpected costs, and the loss of millions of dollars of taxable property. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
Santa Rosa garbage rates are set to climb nearly 60-percent under a proposed contract the city negotiated with a new hauler. The city this week released details of the new 15-year agreement with San Francisco-based Recology, which will provide services to about 55-thousand residential and commercial accounts beginning January 1st. Mike Yates is president of the teamster’s union that represents Recology workers.
A typical residential customer is currently paying just under 17-dollars per month, but under the new contract, the cost would rise to just under 27-dollars, an increase of 58-percent. City leaders say the higher rates will result in a number of service improvements.