SOLID WASTE FEES INCREASE AGAIN

A PUBLIC HEARING for imposing new solid waste fees for 2022-2023 was held during a special Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on August 23rd in Downieville and through teleconference. No public comment was received. Clerk-Recorder Heather Foster reported her office received 138 protest ballots. 131 were residential and 7 non-residential protests. The 138 protests represented .063% of the 2,192 total properties to be assessed the fee. Foster announced there was not a majority protest received. Supervisor Lee Adams remarked none of them enjoy raising the fee, but are trying to be responsible so the general fund doesn’t subsidize this. Board Chair Paul Roen received comments regarding the verbiage utilized in the protest ballot where residents thought they were raising the fee two-fold. Supervisor Sharon Dryden had residents who thought it was a new fee. Dryden thought it was a little confusing the way the letter was sent out and felt they could do better next time.  Solid waste fee passed unanimously to increase the fee $2.00 per loose cubic yard, making it $20.38 per loose cubic yard.