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Board approves incremental garbage fee increases; residents complain about missed pickups and poor service
Summary
The Board approved fee increases for multiple garbage disposal districts and heard public complaints about service quality from contracted haulers, missed pickups, and difficulties reaching customer service.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on June 24 approved incremental increases to annual garbage collection and disposal fees in several disposal districts and took public testimony from residents who said service levels from private haulers have been poor.
Public Works presented rate packages for the Athens, Lenox, Belvedere, Firestone, Malibu, Mesa Heights and Walnut Park garbage disposal districts and explained that some fee increases are necessary after a period of stagnant rates. Supervisors moved several items and the board approved them by voice or roll call (most votes 4–0).
During public comment residents and consumer advocates said the contracted hauler for some areas has delivered inconsistent service over a long-term contract, reporting missed pickups, mixing of trash, and no local call center. One telephonic commenter asked why the county would approve a fee increase while delivery remains deficient.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger (speaking in the public session) and other supervisors asked Public Works to detail how residents should report missed collections and to make sure revenue is used to improve service. Public Works staff said residents should contact the county hotline and described multiple outreach channels: a dedicated phone line, an online portal, a works app and embedded field office coordination. The department said it is monitoring hauler performance and can pull funds or take corrective contract action if performance standards are not met.
What residents said: Several home care providers and neighborhood residents recounted weeks or months without a new contract or consistent garbage pickup and asked for relief or immediate fixes to performance.
What’s next: Public Works said it will increase monitoring, continue outreach with supervisors’ field offices and consider additional enforcement if haulers fail to meet contract standards. Residents were advised to report missed pickups to the Department of Public Works hotline so the department can track performance and escalate cases.
