ANAHEIM : City to Weigh Hike in Garbage, Sewer Fees

Garbage pickup fees for city businesses would increase by more than $7 per month while homeowners could see hikes in sewer and street-sweeping charges under a proposal the City Council is expected to consider within the next two weeks.

Under the same plan, city maintenance director John Roche said Monday, the city is proposing a yearlong rate freeze on the current residential garbage fees of $10.99 per month.

While both residential and commercial trash collection rates have increased steadily over the past couple of years under the city’s long-term contract with Anaheim Disposal Inc., Roche said, this year’s request for a commercial increase is largely aimed at funding the start-up of the city’s commercial trash recycling program.

If approved, Roche said, $6 of the $7.33 increase would go to purchase recycling bins for commercial customers. The balance represents an increase for the contractor, Anaheim Disposal.

The disposal company, an arm of Anaheim-based Taormina Industries, has held the city’s commercial pickup contract for 44 years. That is the longest-running contract on record in the city, and the firm’s chairman, William C. Taormina, has been the largest contributor to city political campaigns since 1984.

Even with the increase to $95.33 per month, Roche said, Anaheim commercial rates would remain competitive with surrounding cities. Currently, he said, Santa Ana charges businesses $110 per month; Fullerton, $89.10; and Garden Grove, $80.

The council is also expected to consider proposals that increase homeowners’ combined monthly sewer and street-sweeping fees by $1.02, while the combined increase for businesses would total $1.82.

Roche said the sewer increases would generate up to $1 million per year to begin a program of replacing old downtown lines.