San Diego City Council faces a crucial decision next week as they prepare for a public hearing regarding a proposed trash collection fee amid a projected $258 million budget deficit.
On June 9, officials are expected to debate the option of collecting the new trash fee through property tax assessments.
The proposed measures from Environmental Services include distributing 95-gallon blue recycling and green organic waste bins to all residents, while customers can choose from different sizes for their refuse bins.
Options for the refuse bins include a 35-gallon bin priced at $36.72 per month, a 65-gallon bin at $42.88 per month, and a 95-gallon bin at $47.59 per month.
The trash fee is designed to cover the operational costs associated with trash and recycling services, which have historically been funded by the city’s general fund.
Currently, the city of San Diego provides waste collection services to over 200,000 residential properties.
Mayor Todd Gloria emphasized the need for a new fee structure, noting that only about 18 cents of each property tax dollar is allocated to the city, which is responsible for covering the annual $90 million cost of trash collection for single-family homes.
He remarked, “Voters chose to fix that inequity by supporting Measure B,” referring to a measure aimed at addressing disparities in service fees for trash collection.
To gauge public sentiment on the proposed fee, a local publication reached out to San Diego residents via social media and email to gather feedback.
Joe Terry from Bird Rock expressed hesitations about submitting a protest form, suggesting the city should provide an accurate comparison of its rates with neighboring cities and assess the pros and cons of privatizing trash collection.
Terry raised concerns that privatization could lead to increased trash levels and a regressive fee structure affecting low-income households.
In contrast, Karin Zirk of Pacific Beach argued that the proposed increase was justified, stressing the importance of residents paying for trash pickup.
She suggested that the fee should not be part of property taxes but rather included in monthly water bills, advocating for a fee-for-service model for additional services like large-item pickups.
Cindy Goodman of La Jolla urged that if fees were implemented, they should apply universally across the city, stating, “All of us, or none of us, should be paying fees.”
She expressed concern that the overall amount appeared excessive since most residents do not demand the extra services tied to the proposed fee.
Scott Chipman from Pacific Beach opposed the fee, arguing that taxpayers have already been funding trash collection through the general fund and pointing to increased city spending as the root cause of the budget deficit.
Chipman contended that the budget has expanded by 35% in the past five years, suggesting that mismanagement is the issue rather than a lack of revenues.
Marcie Beckett, also from Pacific Beach, voiced her objections directly by submitting a protest form.
She criticized the proposed fee for being significantly higher than what was indicated in Measure B and noted that the city mailer failed to adequately inform residents about the significance of submitting protest forms, suggesting a deliberate attempt to minimize protest responses.
Gary Wonacott of Mission Beach, on the other hand, supported the fee, labeling it unfair for some residents to pay for trash collection while others do not.
Bill Zent from Pacific Beach raised questions about the assessment process of the new fee, noting that historical ordinances placed the burden of trash collection on the city.
He highlighted a potential divide between residents of single-family homes and condo complexes regarding the volume of trash produced.
Zent indicated that he would be comfortable with a smaller fee, but worried that the rates could escalate rapidly in the future.
Lee Silber from Mission Beach shared his concerns regarding the economic pressures on residents, warning that the new fee could be the tipping point for many families already burdened by high living costs.
Lastly, Josie Rhodes of Point Loma expressed a desire to maintain the current state of affairs, stating, “The current system is working just fine.”
She criticized the city’s management for its financial missteps, arguing that if she managed her finances the way the city has, she too would be facing bankruptcy.
As the City Council prepares for their upcoming hearing, the voices of residents across San Diego are becoming increasingly vital in shaping the future of waste management in the city.
image source from：https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2025/06/05/residents-mixed-bag-proposed-trash-fee/
