City garbage rates up

You started paying more for your garbage service three weeks ago, the city council decided Wednesday night.
Sonoma Garbage Collectors, Inc. was granted a rate increase of 4.11 percent effective Oct. 1. The impact of a typical residential rate payer, with a 32-gallon can, will be 26-cents a week.
The raise is based on a pre-determined index. Carol Giovanatto, deputy city manager, said the boost was primarily a pass-through cost to cover increased fees at the dump site.
The monthly charge went up 5.2 percent last year, 12.3 percent in 2207 and 9.9 percent in 2006. If the city does not agree to annual rate increase, it violates its contract with the Sonoma Garbage Collectors.
“We’re boxed in,” said Council Member Joanne Sanders. In a time nobody else is getting raises, including Sonoma city workers, “it doesn’t seem right.”
The measure passed 4-1, with Sanders dissenting. Councilor Steve Barbose said the fee increase was fair, and that he appreciated the partnership with a local provider. “We’re the only city in the county with our own garbage company,” he said.