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Athens Services rebuts treasurer's allegations, defends contract and service levels

Covina City Council · April 7, 2026

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Summary

An Athens Services executive told the Covina council that claims by the city treasurer about improper contributions and higher resident rates were false and that the FPPC found no basis for the complaint; the city treasurer reiterated concerns about rates and contract terms during public comment.

A senior Athens Services executive rebutted campaign-contribution allegations and defended the firm's service contract with Covina during public comment at the April 7 council meeting.

Gary Clifford, senior executive vice president of Athens Services, told the council he was at the meeting to "set the record straight" after City Treasurer Neil Polzin had made statements the company called false. "Neil claimed that Athens made an inappropriate and illegal contribution to a city council member's current campaign. That's simply a lie," Clifford said and added that an FPPC (Fair Political Practices Commission) complaint filed about the claim found no supporting facts, according to his remarks.

Clifford also disputed rate comparisons made to county service levels and said Athens' contract includes more comprehensive services (he cited more frequent bulky-item pickups for Covina residents) and other community contributions. "Athens Services isn't just a trash company here; we're part of the fabric of your community," Clifford said.

City Treasurer Neil Polzin spoke in the public comment period and reiterated concerns about service rates, contract terms and transparency, discussing CPI-based rate adjustments and franchise-fee arrangements that return revenue to the city. Polzin said residents prompted changes to a developer meeting layout and raised questions about notice and special rates.

Councilmembers and staff did not take immediate formal action on either the complaint or the contract during the meeting; the exchange aired competing claims and underscored requests for documentation and clarity on contract outcomes or investigations.