The Yucca Valley Town Council began its regular meeting last night with an introduction to the town’s new public works inspector, David Snyder. Snyder will serve as a link between what occurs out in the field and engineers. The council also heard from several residents who begged the town to repair Crestview Drive, which suffered major damage from the last storm, but the council was reminded that dirt roads are private roads, and even an emergency request for repair is contingent on repairing all maintained roads first. Managing editor Tami Roleff says the council also heard updates on the funds from the Measure Y and Measure Z sales taxes, and draft regulations on a bill that will affect organic waste disposal…
The Yucca Valley Town Council was reminded of the benefits of the sales tax measures, Measure Y and Z, which are adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to the town’s coffers. Sheriff’s Captain Newport said the new detective and Sheriff’s service specialist who were hired with Measure Y funds have been instrumental in solving some recent high-profile crimes, including homicide and a recent multiple-vehicle burglary. Measure Z has reduced the sewer assessment for Yucca Valley residents by half. Measure Y funds have also been used to hire a new employee at the Senior Center and increase the center’s hours and activities.
In other business, the council was given a heads-up about a new state law that will require the recycling of organic waste material in 2022. The unfunded mandate is sure to hit residents and businesses hard, as there are no facilities nearby to accept the recycled material, which means waste trucks will have to drive a minimum 100 miles round trip to dispose of the waste, and the costs will be passed on to consumers. Not meeting the new law’s requirements will cost $10,000 per day.
