Corning residents garbage rates go up
Apr. 3—Residents in Corning will see a 3.19 percent jump in their disposal rates as of April 1, and that's no joke.
Following a public hearing during the City Council's March 26 meeting, the proposed rate increase passed 4-1, with Councilman Chuy Valerio voting in opposition.
"No one likes rate increases," said Councilman Dave Demo. "I know I don't like it, but it is necessary. Everything is going up and the disposal service has to cover their costs."
The increase is based on methodology included in the city's contract agreement with Corning Disposal, said City Manager Brant Mesker.
For residential customers with 96-gallon garbage bins the monthly fees go from $28.39 to $29.30, an increase of 91 cents.
Senior resident rates for the smaller 32-gallon bins increase 45 cents, or from $14.19 to $14.64 each month.
Mesker explained that residents who have 96-gallon bins but are looking for savings, could go to the 64-gallon bins that cost $26.97 per month — a savings of $2.33 over the 96-gallon fee.
The increase also applies to commercial service customers.
According to Mesker, the annual rate increase included in the agreement is equal to the Consumer Price Index.
The last increase was a year ago, also on April 1 at 10.89 percent, equal to an additional $2.79 on each customer's bill.
In 2022 the annual increase was 5.47 percent equal to $1.33 and in 2020 it was 2.45 percent.
Waste Management Public Sector Manager Diana Ramirez said even with the annual rate increases, Corning's disposal rates are the lowest in the Northern Sacramento Valley, even compared to Redding's rates.
City Clerk Lisa Linnet said the city received two letters of protest concerning the rate increase.
