At the last Colton City Council Meeting, the council decided to delay the proposed rate increase by CR&R of Perris. CR&R replaced the trash contractor Republic Services in March and they are asking for an increase of approximately 12.9 percent for services to residential customers, and an increase of between 16 percent and 20 percent for commercial and industrial users. Mayor DeLaRosa encourage his fellow council members to withhold making any decision on the contract until they had received a complete briefing from the CR&R representatives explaining why the rates were increasing. Dr. David Kolkata, the Utility Director said, “CR&R’s contract stipulates that it can request a rate increase after July. 1, 2017 and if their request is approved the residents in the city will be charged $26.84 on their monthly bills. Commercial users will be paying between $161.00 and $579 per month. We’re kind of stuck.”
The City has received over sixty letters of protest against the potential added costs. This past Monday, representatives of the Utility Commission expressed their displeasure of the adjusted trash contract, which they feel will put the City in a very bad position. Commissioner George Aguilar said, “We seem to have been taken advantage of on this contract and we needed to have gone out for bid. This is a bad way to start any business relationship with the residents of this community.” The Senior Vice President for CR&R Dean Ruffridge said “City staff was in agreement with the franchise contract and CR&R was not requesting any rate increase that was not provided for between both parties.” Linda Tripp, a longtime city resident, asked the Council to please be diligent in researching any important contracts affecting the city, as they are our watchdogs.
Colton City Council will be holding a workshop to discuss the trash contract on Tuesday, October 5 at 5 p.m.