LWVSD's Comment to the Environment Committee of the City Council of the City Of San Diego:
The League of Women Voters of San Diego believes that the government should maintain an equitable and flexible system of taxation. We support policies to reduce the generation of solid waste and to promote reuse and recycling. We support the city’s Zero Waste Plan and the Climate Action Plan.
The People's Ordinance prevents the city from imposing trash hauling fees for certain residents. It is unfair that all other San Diegans must pay for this service through their taxes and by hiring a private hauler. The IBA report says the city’s cost to pick up trash, recycling and organics will rise significantly in order to comply with increased state requirements of SB 1383. And, without income from trash hauling, the city has limited ability to fund education on reducing/reusing/recycling and on programs such as “pay as you throw.”
The city should treat all residents the same with respect to public services. We ask that the city council allow San Diegans to vote on a ballot measure to revise the People’s Ordinance to fairly distribute the cost of trash hauling among all residents and businesses.