The City is proposing to increase the Street Sweeping charge by $0.50 per month, from $2.25 to $2.75 per month for each residential unit and non-residential entity effective July 1, 2022. In addition, the City is proposing a maximum annual four percent (4%) increase in future years, effective July 1, 2023.
Prior to June 30th of each year commencing in 2023, the Public Utilities Director will evaluate the Street Sweeping fund balance and anticipated expenditures to determine the appropriate charge for the next fiscal year. Based on the recommendation of the Public Utilities Director, the charge may be increased by 4%, increased by less than the annual maximum of 4%, remain unchanged, or be reduced by City Council.
If the Street Sweeping charge increase is approved, City staff will recommend a one and one-half percent (1.5%) reduction in the refuse rates effective July 1, 2022, that is expected to substantially offset the proposed Street Sweeping charge increase.
WHY IS AN INCREASE IN THE STREET SWEEPING CHARGE NEEDED?
The Street Sweeping charge is one of the fees charged by the City to provide comprehensive refuse collection services. The City’s Refuse Fund is comprised of fees charged for street sweeping services, garbage and solid waste collection, residential recycling, and residential green waste collection. Since 2003, the City has not raised its street sweeping charge. In 2003, the monthly charge was increased from $1.25 to $2.25 per month for each residential unit and non-residential entity. Over the past eighteen (18) years, the costs to provide street sweeping services have increased. Each year, the City experiences an increase in energy, fuel, material, vehicle, and personnel costs. In each of the past five (5) years, Street Sweeping expenditures have exceeded the revenues from the Street Sweeping charges, requiring annual authorized transfers from within the Refuse Fund to continue providing the same level of street sweeping services. The table below shows a comparison of the Street Sweeping account revenues and expenditures for the past 5 years.
HOW DO I PROTEST THE STREET SWEEPING CHARGE INCREASE?
Proposition 218 requires that certain fees, such as community Sanitation and Refuse related charges, be subject to a “majority protest” process prior to implementing any increases. If a majority of the property owners and customers affected by the charges protest the proposed increases, the City cannot adopt the proposed increases.
Owners of real property who will be affected by the proposed increase may submit a written protest opposing the proposed increase. However, only one written protest per parcel will be counted in calculating whether a majority protest exists. Written protests will be treated as public records once opened. Written protests may be mailed or delivered in person to the City Clerk’s Office at the City of Clovis, 1033 Fifth Street, Clovis, CA93612, or hand delivered at the public hearing. Written protests must include the following information: the proposed charge or fee being protested, your name, parcel number and/or service address, and your signature. All written protests mailed or otherwise delivered to the City Clerk should identify on the front of the envelope for any protest, that the enclosed letter is for the Public Hearing on the Proposed Increase to Street Sweeping Charges. All written protests must be received prior to the conclusion of the public input portion of the public hearing to be considered by the Clovis City Council.
Protests will not be accepted by email, fax, or other electronic means, and protests not meeting the requirements described in the paragraph above will not be counted as written protests.
A public hearing will be held on November 15, 2021 at 6:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the public hearing may occur, in City Council Chambers at 1033 Fifth Street, Clovis CA, 93612. All members of the public are invited to attend.
