In a recent government meeting, representatives from Republic Services presented a proposal for a Stockton equivalency program aimed at addressing concerns raised by the board regarding service disparities in Area C. Chairman Mike Hakem, along with Vice President Anthony Mann and General Manager Kelly Johnson, emphasized that their proposal was designed to mirror the services offered in Stockton, following a previous board vote that favored their approach.

Hakem highlighted that the proposal was developed after extensive negotiations with county staff, who selected specific elements from the Stockton program to include. However, a significant point of contention arose regarding the requirement for Republic to pay tipping fees to the county landfill rather than using their own facility, which they argued imposes an annual financial disadvantage of approximately $941,000.

Supervisor Canopa expressed skepticism about the proposal, noting that the deal was initially stalled and that he had facilitated an additional 30 days for negotiations. He raised concerns about the fairness of the arrangement, suggesting that the county had been taken advantage of in the past.

During the discussion, Supervisor Patty inquired about the street cleaning services provided by the city of Stockton, questioning whether similar services were included in the county's proposal. The representatives confirmed that while street cleaning is funded through franchise fees in Stockton, the county uses road maintenance funds for similar services.

Public comments reflected a mix of support and criticism for the proposal. Local union representatives urged the board to continue the contract with Republic Services, while others argued that the lack of competitive bidding over the past 42 years has led to higher rates for county residents compared to those in Stockton. They called for an opportunity to submit competing proposals to ensure better pricing and services.

The meeting underscored the complexities of solid waste management contracts and the ongoing debate over service equity and financial implications for county residents. The board is expected to deliberate further on the proposal and consider the feedback from both the representatives and the public.