Local Politics · Colusa, CA
The Colusa City Council postponed consideration of a proposed garbage collection rate increase on Oct. 6, directing staff to negotiate with Recology Butte Colusa Counties before approving higher fees. The proposal sought an average 4.57% residential and 4.56% commercial increase effective Jan. 1, 2027, raising monthly rates by $2.11–$2.33 depending on bin size. Recology cited a 16.8% fuel cost increase, 4.45% disposal cost rise, and 3.77% operating cost increase as justification. Councilmembers questioned whether permanent rate hikes were warranted given fluctuating fuel prices and suggested alternatives such as temporary fuel surcharges. City Manager Jesse Cain was directed to verify franchise agreement terms and contact Recology about possible adjustments.
Community News · Colusa, CA
Caltrans failed to attend the Oct. 6 Colusa City Council meeting where it was scheduled to discuss removing 43 elm trees along 10th and Market Streets, citing structural deterioration and falling limbs. Independent arborist Gordon Mann, privately hired by community members, told council that only two of the 43 trees—some approximately 120 years old—require removal, with the rest manageable through structural pruning at roughly one-third the cost. Cal Fire will review both Caltrans' assessment and Mann's report before issuing recommendations, with state legislators' offices also involved. Caltrans retains authority over the trees, and no date has been set for additional inspections or a final decision.
Transportation · Colusa County
The Colusa County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution on Oct. 6 to pursue approximately $272,000 in CalRecycle grant funding for rubberized chip seal treatments on residential streets in Maxwell, Princeton, Grimes and Arbuckle. The project would cover roughly 272,000 square yards of pavement, extending road life by 10 years or more, with the county reimbursed up to $1 per square yard and remaining costs covered by county road funds. Public Works Director Scott Lanphier submitted the initial application Sept. 9 and was authorized to manage the grant process. The Board also designated rubberized asphalt or chip seal as the preferred material for future county resurfacing projects, with construction planned under the proposed 2027-28 budget.
Local Politics · Colusa County
The Colusa County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 6 established a countywide policy to round cash payments to the nearest nickel once pennies become scarce, following the federal government's 2025 discontinuation of penny production. Under the policy, amounts ending in 1, 2, 6 or 7 cents round down; those ending in 3, 4, 8 or 9 cents round up. Payments by check, credit card, debit card or electronic transfer remain exact. County Treasurer Cindy Dillard said banks are no longer providing pennies to consumers and that rounding gains and losses should roughly offset each other.
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Local Politics · Colusa, CA
About 75 residents attended a Candidates Night at the Colusa Veterans Hall on Thursday, Oct. 8, hosted by the Colusa County Chamber of Commerce ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Seven candidates presented priorities for two City Council seats and two Colusa Unified School District Board of Trustees seats, followed by table-visit Q&A sessions. School board candidates discussed family communication, vocational education, facility improvements funded through Measure C, and student achievement. City Council candidates addressed public safety, infrastructure, budget oversight, city-owned farmland leases, and responsible development.
Community News · Colusa County
Colusa County property owners will receive their annual property tax bills in October, and the county Tax Collector's Office is promoting Easy Smart Pay, an online service that divides annual tax bills into automatic monthly payments. The program holds funds in a taxpayer trust account and remits full installments to the county before the delinquency deadline. Bank transfers carry no additional fee, while debit or credit card payments incur a 1.99% processing charge. Enrollment is available at easysmartpay.net, and participants can modify or cancel plans at any time.
