Tecate residents ‘not happy’ having to pay for trash service in their border community

SAN DIEGO ( Border Report ) — The border city of Tecate is telling residents that it's time to pay for trash collection services, something that is not sitting well with residents.

Tecate is about 35 miles east of Tijuana and is famous for its sweet bread and the beer brand that carries the city's name.

During a recent council meeting, city officials admitted they don't have the money to carry out consistent trash service throughout the city.

Home and business owners will have to pay a temporary fee of 36 to 73 pesos per month ($1.90 to $3.80) in order to be eligible for trash collection.

Román Cota Muñoz, Tecate's mayor, said the fee will be reviewed next year to figure out if it needs to become permanent.

"We will provide every household in the program with a sticker that has a QR code that will determine if the payment is current while matching the address where the trash is being picked up," said Cota Muñoz.

The mayor admitted the city doesn't have all the resources now to provide free trash service due to a lack of equipment.

He also said six trucks are currently being repaired and are out of service, 13 are usually in operation every day picking up trash around the city.

"Our system has collapsed, I'll provide a weekly report showing where the money is going and how it's being spent, people need to know the fee if being invested properly, we are trying to provide a service worth of our citizens."

Plans are being made for those who can't afford the fee or refuse to pay it.

The mayor says they are likely to provide points around the city where people can drop off their trash.

"We are not trying to harm anyone, that's why we are coming up with alternatives," said Cota Muñoz. "If they consider it harmful or onerous, we can provide a socioeconomic study to determine if an alternative can be considered."

Cota Muñoz added that one way to insure free trash collection would be for people to recycle.

"If everyone recycled no one would pay anything because there is less trash to pick up, and by recycling, we could generate funds to supplement the program."