Fresno, the state’s fifth-largest city, is now in deep fiscal distress. Autry’s successor, Ashley Swearingen, wants to privatize the city’s trash collection system and counts on an infusion of upfront cash from the private contractor, plus monthly franchise fees, to keep the city afloat.

The city manager warns that without that infusion and some service cuts, the city might not make payroll in a few weeks.

However, the city’s unions are stoutly resisting the trash contract awarded to Mid Valley Disposal and have turned in ballot measure petitions to overturn it.

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