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Republic Services warns it will suspend service for delinquent San Fernando accounts
Summary
Republic Services told the City Council it will suspend trash collection for significantly delinquent residential, commercial and industrial accounts starting May 1 unless payments or payment plans are established; council members pressed the company on how that policy was added to the city's contract and on possible public-health impacts.
Republic Services representatives told the San Fernando City Council on April 21 that the company intends to suspend collection for customers with long-standing unpaid balances, potentially affecting hundreds of accounts in the city.
The change was described during a presentation by Republic Services staff. "At this moment, we have a total outstanding balance of $301,840.03 that is outstanding to Republic Services," said Christina Vargas, introduced by the company as a municipal manager. She told the council some accounts date back to February 2020 and said the company has continued service despite nonpayment. "Effective May 1, Republic Services will stop services on all commodities," she said, and added that about 584 residential accounts, 19 commercial/multifamily accounts and 47 industrial accounts could be impacted. Vargas said payment plans and restoration of service upon payment or an agreed plan would be available.
Why it matters: Council members pressed Republic Services on whether the company first proposed a reduction of services and later presented the city with a plan to suspend or “suspend” service. Councilmember Joe Fajardo said he had received a communication suggesting a reduction (smaller or fewer carts) rather than removal. JP, Republic Services’ general manager, said the company initially believed it could only reduce service under language they saw in the contract, then on review concluded suspension was technically available.
Council questions focused on legal authority and public-health consequences. Fajardo asked whether the contract amendment that allows the company to suspend service benefits San Fernando. Republic representatives said the amendment could indirectly benefit paying customers by avoiding cross-subsidies but could not identify a direct municipal benefit. "Providing the service at no cost puts an undue burden on other customers who have been faithfully paying their bill," JP said. Councilmembers pressed whether Republic’s internal collection efforts had been exhausted; company staff described letters and calls and said some accounts showed no payments or contact for years.
Councilmember Fajardo and others warned of sanitary and safety risks if curbside collection were suspended. "It does disadvantage the city. It creates a sanitary issue," Fajardo told Republic staff. Vice Mayor Maria Solorio asked Republic to be specific about how the company would notify customers and said the city and company should work together on additional outreach. Councilmember Patty Lopez asked for details on the company’s community grants and programs.
What the council did: Councilmembers did not take a vote to change the contract at the April 21 meeting. Council discussion confirmed members want more information and possible further action; Vice Mayor Solorio suggested staff and the company should continue to work on options and that the issue may return as an agenda item for future council deliberation.
Context and next steps: Republic Services described several local programs — scholarships, cleanups, a residential recyclerewards program and a community investment fund — and outlined company sustainability efforts including gas-to-energy projects, an organics compost facility and a polymer recycling center. The company said it will try to work with affected customers on payment plans and restoration of service once an arrangement is in place.
The company named in the presentation included JP (general manager), James Kalix (operations manager), Christina Vargas (municipal manager), Kevin Lopez (sustainability advisor), Christina Saldivar (residential supervisor) and Dan Jover (commercial supervisor). Council members asked staff to follow up and requested a fuller explanation of how the suspension option was added to the contract and what safeguards the city can require before any collections stops.
