The first increase that came to my attention was on my April 1 billing, this was a $3.72 increase that was imposed by the state of California only for the city of Clearlake for emissions requirements mandated by the state.
According to Denise the clerk who answers the phone at Clearlake Waste Solutions Inc., this increase has been mandated for the City of Clearlake only. Why has the state singled out the City of Clearlake?
Should you ask more than three questions Denise responds with, “Oh my God!”
This response is completely unprofessional and I have the right to answers regarding any and all increases.
On Feb. 28 the Clearlake City Council approved a rate increase of no more than 12.26 percent, which limits the cost of equipment to $560,000, in order for the company to retrofit its diesel trucks with air pollution equipment required by new rules adopted by the California Air Resources Board. The company indicated it had to come into compliance by the end of the year's first quarter. Why is this imposed on city of Clearlake only?
The second increase came on my July 1 billing, an increase of $2.23. This, I understand, is a cost of living (COLA) yearly increase. This increase should have included fuel cost which is a COLA.
The third increase came on my Oct. 1 billing, an increase of $1.08 for fuel. This is a COLA.
On Sept. 25 the Clearlake City Council approved a 3.18-percent rate adjustment for Clearlake Waste Solutions.
Are the City Council members not keeping count of how much increase you are approving? I will help them out – that is a $7.47 increase so far this year.
Jan. 1 billing, $28.38; Oct. 1 billing, $35.85.
$9.46 per month; $11.95 per month.
$113.52 per year; $143.40 per year.
That is a increase of $7.47 per billing period (quarterly).
That is a increase of $2.49 per month and a increase of $29.88 per year.
That’s more than half of my COLA from Social Security. I question Clearlake Waste Solutions Inc.'s ability to run this company, without gouging the people of the city of Clearlake in particular and the county of Lake.
I am on a fixed income and the Social Security Administration does not allow me a fuel increase or a smog check increase, it is included in my yearly COLA increase. The percentages are not nearly as high as Clearlake Waste Solutions Inc.’s, increases, which the City Council approved. Who are you working for; remember me, the voter?
When the cost of fuel decreases (which it has), will we receive a decrease in billing, when? When the emissions cost have been paid, will we receive a decrease in billings, when? Why did the state of California single out the city of Clearlake only for this increase?
Please respond, I deserve answers.
Linda M. Jones lives in Clearlake.
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