EDCO PRICES LIKELY TO INCREASE IN LA MESA

By Kristin Kjaero

May 5, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa City Council voted 5-0 April 28 to issue a public notice of a possible rate increase for both residential and commercial trash pickup in La Mesa. The public hearing will occur at the June 23 City Council meeting in the 7:00 p.m. time certain slot for hearings.

EDCO President and CEO Steve South made the presentation to the Council. The company is requesting 3.6% and 1.5% increases for residential and commercial, respectively. That translated to a 68-cent increase for residential from $19.09 to $10.77, and an increase of $1.45 from $99.29 to $100.74 for commercial.

If passed, the rate increase would be in effect July 1 through Jun 30, 2017.

South said that the decreasing value of recycling commodities, landfill fees and changes in minimum wage are the reasons behind the request.

The City is mailing notices to property owners by May 8, which will cost the City around $12,000.

Under Proposition 218, protests must be received in writing; if a majority of property owners submitted letters against, the fee would not be allowed by law.