Council Approves 5.4 Percent Garbage Rate Increase

In a 6-1 vote, members approved a 5.4 percent rate increase for solid waste and recycling services within city limits. The rate hike, implemented by Recology South Valley, will go into effect July 1.

The increase is part of the company's annual rate adjustment assessment. Using a formula that looks at two factors—the consumer price index and the motor fuel index—the company submitted the 5.4 percent increase on February 16.

According to city staff, the city notified the public about the rate increase and sent out approximately 12,431 public hearing notices to property owners who would be affected by the rate hike on March 16.

Forty-four letters of complaint were sent to the city, representing less than one percent of property owners. Had a majority of property owners sent in written complaints about the fee increase, the city wouldn't have been able to impose the hike.

The rate hike will amount to a $1.45 increase in charges for residents with a single garbage can. The current rate of collection for properties with one can is $26.80 a month, which will go up to $28.25 per month.

According to Christina Turner, the city's finance director, Recology bills its customers quarterly.

Councilman Perry Woodward questioned whether the resolution should be put on the consent calendar since the franchise agreement with Recology, which includes the annual fee increase, doesn't expire until 2017.

"It appears like we have a choice, but as long as they abide by the franchise agreement, if we don't agree to the rate increase, they'll sue us," he said.

Woodward voted "reluctantly yes" to the fee increase.

Councilwoman Cat Tucker was the only dissenting vote, though she offered no explanation as to why.

Mayor Al Pinheiro, on the other hand, did have something to say about her nay.

"With all due respect, if there are councilmembers that have other options to this, then it'd be nice to know what they are," he said. "If we are bound by a contract, then it'd be nice to know what else we can do if someone says no. We all don't want this to happen, but somebody's got to pay the bill."

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