Blame Sacramento County.

That's the underlying message around local waste-fee hikes approved Tuesday.

Each of Amador County's pair of waste haulers and recyclers won a rate hike from supervisors. Although considerable protest was lodged, it didn't meet the tipping point where under state law supervisors would have been required to reject the fee-increase applications. A majority of customers affected must protest in writing.

The firm with the larger service area, Aces Waste of Pine Grove, won an increase of 7.75 percent for most of its coverage zone, a section that contains much Upcountry territory. Several protest letters came from Upcountry residents. The increase for other territory served by Aces Waste is 4.83 percent.

In correspondence with county officials, Aces Waste co-owner Paul Molinelli wrote, "As you know, 5.25 percent of the requested 7.75 percent is a direct pass-through for an increase in dump fees at the Kiefer Landfill operated by the County of Sacramento."

The other waste hauler and recycler, Amador Disposal Service-Waste Connections, Inc. won a rate increase of 3.91 percent for service to an area that includes Plymouth.

The hikes take effect Oct. 1.