A gated community in northeast Fresno says its private trash service is not getting the job done. Now, the city is getting involved.
Republic Services provides trash and recycling hauling for Mansionette Court, a community of more than 100 condominium units at 1542 E. Alluvial Ave.
Last year, residents complained that Republic Services failed to collect trash and recycling for several days. The company said it would increase its monitoring to make sure it did not happen again.
Customers claim it did happen again, alleging Republic did not pick up for several days in May. Residents complained to the city, which awards franchise agreements to several private trash haulers. While the city provides trash services to residential addresses, private companies like Republic handle apartment complexes, condos and commercial locations.
Paul Amico, the city’s public utilities director, told The Bee the city has spoken with Republic and sent it a notice of default letter.
A Republic spokesperson tells The Bee the company is aware of the problem and working toward a solution. The company says it has provided Fresno residents and business “with safe and reliable service for nearly 15 years.”
“We have responded to the city’s notice of default and request for information and offered to review the account of any resident who has contacted the city with concerns,” Yessica del Rincon of Republic said.
Republic’s full response to The Bee can be read here.
The Mansionette Court homeowners association pays Republic for trash services, with the funds coming from HOA fees. Republic is scheduled to pick up twice a week.
Resident takes complaints to city council
Neil O’Brien, a Mansionette Court resident, took his frustrations to the Fresno City Council.
“For nearly a year, Mansionette Court has endured chronic failures in trash collection and recycling by Republic Services. This has continued despite placement on a monitoring program that has failed to correct the problem,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien said Republic missed seven of nine pickup days in May 2026. Some days were a complete no-show, he said. Others days, pickup drivers inspected dumpsters, but did not collect the contents.
“This is not a lapse in service. This is a systemic failure. Most troubling, residents have no alternative provider for waste collection or recycling collection. We are captive customers receiving inadequate service without an alternative,“ O’Brien said.
Problems persisted even after meeting with Republic supervisors, O’Brien said. New drivers on the route, promised by management, never materialized, he said.
He also claimed community residents are being billed for services not received.
Councilmember Mike Karbassi said his constituents experienced similar problems in his northwest Fresno district.
“What happens is we work with someone at Republic, the situation gets better, until it doesn’t again,” Karbassi said. He alleged that Republic “seem to be ripping off some of our seniors for very minor overages.”
City Manager Georgeanne White confirmed from the dais that Republic was put on notice. The company has an opportunity to correct the problem.
White added that while the company was “very serious on compliance issues with the contract,” things improve then relapse.
“I understand the frustration of the residents attempting to resolve the issue at Republic,” White said. She was cut off by City Attorney Andrew Janz, as a discussion about Republic was not on the agenda and could violate the state’s open meeting laws.
The city tells The Bee it does not maintain a portal of complaints over trash service.
Meeting scheduled
O’Brien has sent several communications to City Hall, The Bee has learned through emails it obtained. He said Republic missed its pickup last Friday, as well.
Republic tells The Bee its “crews quickly responded and service was back on track the next morning.”
A meeting is scheduled between O’Brien, Mansionette Court’s property manager and White for Oct. 6.
How Republic is responding
Del Rincon says Republic serves 3,000 customers in Fresno, and only one Mansionette Court resident complained about service.
“Our collection services have been reliable and when issues arise, we resolve them as quickly as possible. Additionally, missed collections can occur for a variety of reasons, including blocked containers, parked vehicles and other site conditions that prevent safe and proper access,” del Rincon said.
The company maintains a list of recurring complaints which are closely monitored, del Rincon said. Trucks are equipped with cameras and GPS tracking systems to help verify service.
This story was originally published August 24, 2026 at 11:32 AM.
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David Taub joined the Fresno Bee in 2026 after reporting 10 years for digital publication GV Wire. He has worked in the Fresno market since 2007. Prior to moving to the Central Valley, he worked for TV and radio stations on the Central Coast. He has also worked behind the scenes in local TV and radio. During his career, he has covered City Hall, the state Capitol, the White House and several houses of government in between. When not in a reporting capacity, he works tracking stats for the Fresno Grizzlies as an official scorekeeper, and also with televised basketball and football games. He has worked the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and several MLB games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue!