June 23, 2010
Burrtec to Now Provide Street Sweeping in Duarte
The Duarte City Council approved Amendment No. 4 to the Municipal Solid Waste Agreement with Burrtec Waste Industries on June 8 to add street sweeping to the list of services that they provide and to increase the City’s trash impact fee (“franchise fee”) to 12% for residential and 15% for commercial users.
This amendment was the direct result of the City’s May 4th budget workshop and June 8th budget adoption, which looked to find cost savings and revenue enhancements aimed at reducing the City’s operating deficit. Having the street sweeping handled by the City’s franchised waste hauler will allow for more efficient coordination between the trash pickup and street sweeping schedules, as well as reduce the City’s General Fund deficit by approximately $74,000. The City’s increased franchise fees will generate approximately $130,000 in new revenue to the City yet Duarte’s trash rates will continue to remain the third lowest in the area.
According to Burrtec representatives, the average Duarte resident or business will now see street sweeping services as part of their Burrtec billing statements and they anticipate an increase of approximately $1.35 per month for residential and $2.61 for commercial customers. There will be no change in the sweeping service schedule with residential blocks being swept every other week and business areas weekly. The City is confident Burrtec’s “We’ll take care of it” philosophy in providing quality refuse and recyclables collection services to our residents since 1996 will translate smoothly into keeping the streets clean.
The City’s franchise fee had not been adjusted since the contract between the City and Burrtec was initiated in the mid 90’s. Based on a survey of surrounding communities, revealing fees ranging from 6% to 25%, Duarte was able to increase this fee and still remain on the lower end of the spectrum. For additional information on street sweeping services or refuse collection, contact Burrtec Waste Services at 800-325-9417.
