New concerns are being raised about whether Santa Ana is illegally overcharging residents and businesses for trash collection and using the money for other services like police, firefighting, and parks.

The issue came up at the City Council meeting last Tuesday, when questions from a visibly frustrated Councilwoman Michele Martinez eventually prompted staff to say the city has ongoing issues under state law that they’re working to fix.

“We are in violation,” said Martinez, pointing to the city’s ongoing transfer of millions of dollars from the trash collection fund to the general fund. At one point she threatened to take the issue to the state Attorney General.