The mayor is behind it. The city council approved it, but now voters could overturn it.
People on both sides of the debate call the privatization of residential trash service "The most important issue facing Fresno." The last city council meeting on the matter almost edged past midnight.
The issue has divided the city and the council itself. Mid-Valley Disposal only won the contract by a vote of 4 - 3.
Now union and community leaders are passing around a new petition. They're looking to gather about 21,000 signatures by January 18th to put the private trash contract before voters.
If they succeed, the council will have an opportunity to reconsider their vote. Short of that, a special election will be held.
That will cost the city about $1 million dollars. A tight city budget is what brought the issue about in the first place.
The city will get about $2.5 million per year in franchise fees. Mayor Ashley Swearengin says the city needs the money to preserve public safety and other services.
People opposed to the plan say the money is coming out of the pockets of city workers. Waste management drivers could lose about $5 an hour in pay.
Mid-Valley is guaranteeing employment for all city workers for one year. After that, there's no guarantee, and about 150 jobs could be lost.
Though not due to poor performance. Trash collection in Fresno is ranked among the nation's best.
TXT 24
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