SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): A lawsuit has been filed in the Kern County Superior Court challenging the hike in land-use fees by the Board of Supervisors in 2021 and 2022, as part of efforts to fund organic recycling program.

According to the lawsuit, the Board has violated the state constitution by imposing a tax, for which it is supposed to take approval by voters. Furthermore, it asks the court to order the board to make necessary arrangements to refund those property owners who have paid the fee as part of their tax bill.

It alleges that the Kern County has charged the residents millions of dollars to cover the expenses related to cleaning up illegal dumping and encampments across the county. This has no connection with county’s efforts to reduce methane emissions. It demands that the case be certified as a class action. The Proposition 218 restricts the ability of state and local governments to impose taxes and fees, the lawsuit claims.

The defendants in the lawsuit are the County government, the Board of Supervisors and the Kern County Public Works Department.

The Board had raised the land-use fee on property tax bills by 52% to $160 per year. As per the plan approved by it, the Board intends to raise the fee by around 3% every year for the next six years, until it reaches $180 per year.

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:

Flint Paying Residents $1 Per Tire at Recycling Event

Wayne Township Announced New Recycling Contract