Los Angeles Sanitation Chief Barbara Romero to Step Down Amidst City Cleanup Efforts
Los Angeles’s top sanitation official, Barbara Romero, announced yesterday she will leave her post at the end of the year, a departure occurring as the city ramps up efforts to address cleanliness concerns ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.
Romero, appointed in 2021, informed sanitation employees of her decision in an email on Monday, without citing a specific reason for leaving. Mayor Karen Bass’s office acknowledged Romero’s service but declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding her departure. The move comes as Los Angeles is implementing Shine L.A., a city beautification program, and working to meet a June 2026 deadline for clearing 9,800 homeless encampments. The city is also facing increasing pressure to improve its waste management infrastructure, including diverting organic waste from landfills as mandated by state law.
Some observers believe Romero’s exit is not voluntary. Bruce Reznik, executive director of Los Angeles Waterkeeper, expressed frustration and alleged the mayor pushed for her departure, citing Romero’s strong advocacy for environmental issues like wastewater recycling and sewer system repairs. “She genuinely cares about these issues,” Reznik said. “She will engage communities, even when it’s uncomfortable.” The Bureau of Sanitation, with over 3,000 employees and a budget exceeding $400 million, recently increased trash removal fees to nearly $56 per month to fund upgrades and improvements – a move that generated $200 million annually. You can find more information about the Bureau of Sanitation’s initiatives on their official website.
Despite the change in leadership, officials say the city remains committed to its cleanup goals. City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez stated he wasn’t overly concerned about the transition, noting frequent changes in city agency leadership. The city’s ongoing struggle with illegal dumping and the intersection of homelessness and trash accumulation continue to pose significant challenges, as highlighted by community groups like Volunteers Cleaning Communities. The success of these initiatives will be closely watched as Los Angeles prepares to host major international events, including the World Cup in 2026 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028 – events that will put the city’s cleanliness on full display to the world, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
City officials have indicated they will begin the search for a replacement in the coming weeks.
