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Current Issue Links
Grand Jury releases report on mandatory trash
Findings from the Kern County Grand Jury have validated the city’s implementation of the controversial
program for mandatory curbside collection of trash and recycling.
“The staff and officials of the city of Ridgecrest demonstrated a sound knowledge of both the legal issues
involved and the needs of the citizens in the contentious issue of trash policy,” states the report. “All issues
identified by the committee were satisfactorily answered by city staff.”
The much-criticized program was the city’s answer to threats from the state, which has cited the city for not
complying with the state mandates of diverting 50 percent or more from the waste stream into recycling. (See
also related story, this page).
“I am happy to see that a totally independent body has agreed that, although some things could have
been done better, overall the staff and council did a good job under the circumstances,” said Councilman
Chip Holloway.
“I was surprised they were even following the issue, but it’s refreshing that an entity as well-respected as
the Grand Jury clearly recognized the hurdles we had to overcome in a short period just to get into
compliance.”
Committee members met with city officials Feb 3 to discuss policies and examine identified areas of
concern.
The committee determined that city officials accepted the state compliance order — which included
mandatory curbside recycling — “to avoid onerous financial penalties.”
However, the committee made recommendations that the city remove franchise trash hauler Benz
Sanitation from the billing process and continue seeking a cost-effective way to find a materials recovery
facility.
Several weeks ago Councilman Jerry Taylor — the sole councilmember elected since the city made the
compliance agreement with the state — made similar recommendations to the council.
“I fully support the grand jury’s recommendations and hope we can implement them soon,” said Taylor.
The current billing process ties both the city’s and Benz’s hands from quick authorization of many of the
concerns raised by customers, he said. “I think streamlining the process will provide the level of service our
citizens are looking for,” he said.
Taylor pointed out that the Shaw Report found that the city population does not generate the volume of
waste to support an MRF on its own, which is why Benz is currently shipping recyclables to its facility in
Tehachapi.
“The route we’re pursuing is a transfer-transload facility at the dump,” he said. But that can be
accomplished only in cooperating with Kern County, which administers the local landfill.
Kern County residents have 60 days to respond to the report, which was released on March 3.
Responses can be submitted to Presiding Judge, Kern County Superior Court, 1415 Truxtun Ave., 2nd Floor,
Bakersfield, CA 93301.
program for mandatory curbside collection of trash and recycling.
“The staff and officials of the city of Ridgecrest demonstrated a sound knowledge of both the legal issues
involved and the needs of the citizens in the contentious issue of trash policy,” states the report. “All issues
identified by the committee were satisfactorily answered by city staff.”
The much-criticized program was the city’s answer to threats from the state, which has cited the city for not
complying with the state mandates of diverting 50 percent or more from the waste stream into recycling. (See
also related story, this page).
“I am happy to see that a totally independent body has agreed that, although some things could have
been done better, overall the staff and council did a good job under the circumstances,” said Councilman
Chip Holloway.
“I was surprised they were even following the issue, but it’s refreshing that an entity as well-respected as
the Grand Jury clearly recognized the hurdles we had to overcome in a short period just to get into
compliance.”
Committee members met with city officials Feb 3 to discuss policies and examine identified areas of
concern.
The committee determined that city officials accepted the state compliance order — which included
mandatory curbside recycling — “to avoid onerous financial penalties.”
However, the committee made recommendations that the city remove franchise trash hauler Benz
Sanitation from the billing process and continue seeking a cost-effective way to find a materials recovery
facility.
Several weeks ago Councilman Jerry Taylor — the sole councilmember elected since the city made the
compliance agreement with the state — made similar recommendations to the council.
“I fully support the grand jury’s recommendations and hope we can implement them soon,” said Taylor.
The current billing process ties both the city’s and Benz’s hands from quick authorization of many of the
concerns raised by customers, he said. “I think streamlining the process will provide the level of service our
citizens are looking for,” he said.
Taylor pointed out that the Shaw Report found that the city population does not generate the volume of
waste to support an MRF on its own, which is why Benz is currently shipping recyclables to its facility in
Tehachapi.
“The route we’re pursuing is a transfer-transload facility at the dump,” he said. But that can be
accomplished only in cooperating with Kern County, which administers the local landfill.
Kern County residents have 60 days to respond to the report, which was released on March 3.
Responses can be submitted to Presiding Judge, Kern County Superior Court, 1415 Truxtun Ave., 2nd Floor,
Bakersfield, CA 93301.
By REBECCA NEIPP
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
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