Board approves garbage rate increase, hears about road construction plans
By Debra Moore
Two weeks after the Board of Supervisors denied granting a garbage rate increase to Feather River Disposal/Waste Management because a representative wasn’t present at the public hearing, the board granted it.
During the board’s July 5 meeting, supervisors were asked to grant increases to its two solid waste franchises based on the terms of their contracts. The board granted the increase to Intermountain Disposal, which manages the solid waste service for the eastern portion of the county, but declined to vote on Feather River Disposal’s request. Feather River serves the area from Quincy to Chester.
Board President Kevin Goss said, “Feather River Disposal can come back another day,” and that day was scheduled for Tuesday, July 19. Two representatives attended, but they weren’t asked any questions or to comment. Instead, Supervisor Greg Hagwood thanked the representatives for being responsive. “I know the public is never thrilled with rate increases,” he said. “To the extent that I call, Waste Management is very responsive.” He added that they may not have the answers that he wants, but they respond.
Hagwood said that Feather River Disposal/Waste Management is having the same staffing issues that other businesses are experiencing.
An audience member commented that the “boots on the ground are wonderful. They are worth every penny that I have to pay for service.”
That will now be 6.39 percent higher than it was. Per the franchise contracts, the two franchises submit annual, audited financial statements to the county that are then given to an independent auditor for review. Because the franchises are guaranteed a rate of return on their investment, the rates can be increased to meet the terms of the contract.
It’s going to be a bumpy ride
The board listened to a presentation by Caltrans regarding a major project that is slated for Plumas County. Construction isn’t scheduled until 2028, but the planning is underway for a project that will encompass the Highway 70 corridor from the Greenville Wye to east of Quincy. While a portion of the project will be overlay, the portion through Quincy will involve grinding up and replacing pavement.
Caltrans and Plumas County will use that opportunity to make improvements to the Quincy corridor, and they are soliciting public input to determine what is desired. “I live in Redding,” Caltrans representative Kelly Zolotoff said. “We don’t live here. We’d like your feedback.”
The overall project will consider everything from drainage to culverts, to sidewalks and bike lanes. Ramps will be updated to current standards, as will lighting and signage. Caltrans and the county will also be working with the utility districts to ensure that any underground work that needs to be done is completed before the new pavement is laid down. “The last thing we want is beautiful pavement to get ripped up,” Zolotoff said.
The project is estimated to cost between $39 million and $55 million depending on the final plan.
Hagwood noted that with the work already planned along Highway 70 — in the Canyon and from Cromberg to Portola — travel around Plumas County will be challenging for the coming years.
A discussion for a later date
The board delayed decisions on a couple of items on the agenda. The first was a consent agenda item put forth by the county’s Behavioral Health Department earmarking up to $18,000 for Tai Chi classes to be offered to all citizens in the Portola area. Items on the consent agenda are typically placed there because they are considered noncontroversial, but the supervisors want to discuss this item.
The board also delayed a discussion regarding moving the Victim Witness Program from the Sheriff’s Office to that of the District Attorney.
And finally, the board tabled a discussion regarding appointing a new auditor/controller until August.
New position
The board approved a new grant manager job classification with a base wage of $35 per hour and authorized the Human Resources department to recruit and fill the position.
