San Joaquin supervisors authorize temporary voucher program, seek dumpsters amid Republic Services work stoppage

Stockton — At a special meeting July 18, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to authorize a temporary voucher program allowing San Joaquin County residents affected by interruptions in residential waste collection by Republic Services to dispose of household waste at designated county facilities at no charge, and directed staff to pursue placement of debris dumpsters in rural unincorporated communities.

The board adopted the proposal after Public Works staff described a program that would let affected residents bring municipal solid waste to county transfer stations free of charge and after county counsel outlined two legal paths: implement the voucher program immediately using the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund and return later for ratification, or implement under a memorandum of understanding if Republic Services agrees in writing to reimburse the county and have the agreement ratified at a later board meeting.

Public health and service coverage were central to discussion. Supervisor Guardia, who requested the special meeting, described mounting neighborhood impacts: “businesses aren't able to do, conduct business because they have garbage piling up. Their recyclables are piling up in the back of their businesses,” and said animals were tearing open bags in some neighborhoods. Sena Thompson, who identified herself as Municipal…