Court Opinion

ID: 9784535
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-30 20:47:40.92001+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:35:55.916889
License: Public Domain

MICHAEL A. WOLFF, Judge.
This is a simple case. The St. Louis County charter says the county may create “districts” in unincorporated areas within which garbage collection can be provided and that funds for garbage collection can come from a “service charge” on the residents.1
The county charter provision does not say that the service charge must be collected by the county. The service charge in this case is collected by the garbage hauler that is given the exclusive right to collect garbage in a given district.
Most significantly, the charter provision requires that the voters of a district approve the arrangement. This would seem to be appropriate and follows from the fact that a private garbage hauler is to be given an exclusive right in the residents’ *325district to collect garbage and impose a fee for the service.
This is not a case in which a bedrock principle of democracy is at stake. I simply disagree with the majority’s reading of the county charter provision. I would reverse the circuit court’s judgment and let the voters have their way with their garbage. I respectfully dissent.

. Section 2.180.24 of the county charter provides that the county council has the power by ordinance to:
Provide for the creation of districts in the unincorporated areas of the county within which may be provided ... garbage and refuse collection and disposal ... and such kindred facilities as the voters therein by a majority of those voting may approve, the same to be paid for from funds raised by special assessment, general taxation or service charge, or any combination thereof within such districts ....