SB 1383 fee

Called the mandatory $318-a-year fee unfair and urged supervisors to fight the state mandate rather than pass costs to residents.

Accepted the state mandate is coming but asked whether landfill permits and bulk dumping access remain — staff confirmed they do, plus two free bulky pickups.

On a fixed income, he objected to paying twice for waste disposal and questioned why Holtville is exempt while unincorporated residents nearby are not; he asked to see the census density study.

Asked whether her vacant, unimproved parcel of 30 years would be charged; staff said truly vacant parcels should be excluded through a petition process.

Said losing one of his two containers to the organics split will force extra costs and delays, and complained fixed-income county residents keep 'picking up the loose ends.'

Asked whether her two-acre property with chickens and burning is exempt, and suggested the county pursue state grant money to help residents instead of returning funds.

Questioned why the fee is buried in property taxes rather than a separate bill, calling it a way to disguise a trash bill.

A senior on Social Security, he said he never got the notice, opposed putting the fee on property taxes that could jeopardize homes, and complained about closed dump hours and lost road access.

Owns an unoccupied parcel north of Imperial and questioned the lack of residential waivers and the census-based zone maps, saying bare ground will be charged $320 a year.

With a Republic dumpster contract for over a decade, he asked about grandfathering and dumpster removal fees, saying the new system costs 30-40% more for his large lot.

Said her March questions went unanswered, then confirmed billing mechanics with staff and stated strong opposition to putting the solid waste fee on property taxes.

Said his $79 dump fee plus the new $318 fee plus a future landfill increase could nearly quadruple his annual waste costs, and asked whether burning green waste will be banned.

Argued the tax-based fee creates duplicate charges for residents who already pay for service, ignores differing usage, and urged the board to preserve choice and transparency.

Questioned the 75-people-per-square-mile census tract math for his area, said home recycling income and local recycling centers will suffer, and objected to losing disposal discretion.

Returned to ask why the fee is in his taxes and how to get rid of it, saying he does fine without the service and calling the state mandate extortion.