Special Election Near on Trash Privatization

City Hall Friday.

Boxes full of signed petitions are stacked at Fresno city hall.

The goal is to force the city to hold a special election on a plan to privatize residential trash service.

“We are here so proud to deliver just under 40-thousand signatures,” said Union Rep Marina Magdelano.

40,000 signatures... roughly double the amount needed for a special election...signed, sealed, delivered.

Union rep Marina Magdelano led city trash truck drivers all the way to the ballot box.

“It's been emotional. It's been a lot of stress. Family wise. Work wise but we got through it,” said Longtime City Trash Hauler Joe Garcia.

They've been collecting signatures for about a month, backed by Former City Councilmember Les Kimber.

“Thank you residential Fresno for sending a message to city hall that you can't balance the budget by dismantling a city department,” Kimber said.

The city’s message hit the airwaves after the petition drive...

The city says the private trash company set to take over...Mid Valley Disposal... will prevent a fiscal emergency, save city jobs, and lower costs for consumers..

“If this were to go to ballot, we end up having a delay in the day that we receive revenues so we lose about $200,000 per month,” said City Manager Mark Scott.

The city says a delay in the franchise fees will result in employee layoffs.

And a special election could cost the city up to $1,000,000.

At a time when the city is facing a $5,000,000.

Trash workers say outsourcing will result in...

Well - at this point in the battle...not even the union reps want to get into it.

“Today we're not talking about the bad stuff. Today is the day to rejoice,” said Magdelano.