Marin County Board approves 2.8% refuse rate hikes for Bay Cities and Mill Valley services

Marin County's Board of Supervisors approved a 2.8% rate increase for waste collection services during their meeting on June 25, 2025. This decision affects customers in Southern Marin, specifically those serviced by Bay Cities Refuse Service and Mill Valley Refuse Service, with the new rates set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

The proposed rate adjustments were presented by the interim public works director, Chris Blunk, and waste management staff, who highlighted that the increases are in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as stipulated in the franchise agreements. The adjustments are necessary to cover rising operational costs, including salaries and maintenance.

For Bay Cities Refuse Service, the increase will raise the average monthly bill for a 32-gallon landfill cart by approximately $1.12, bringing the total to $41.17. In the Golden Gate Bridge area, the increase will be $1.26, resulting in a new total of $46.38. This marks the first rate adjustment since a 4.9% increase was approved in July 2023.

Similarly, Mill Valley Refuse Service is also requesting a 2.8% increase, which will affect areas including Edgewood and Paradise Drive. The average increase for a 32-gallon cart in this service area will be about $1.87, bringing the total to $59.58.

Both rate increases were unanimously approved by the board after public hearings, which saw no opposition from community members. The board emphasized the importance of these adjustments in maintaining the quality of waste management services in the region.

In addition to the waste rate discussions, the meeting also covered the High Utilization Case Management Program and the upcoming Homelessness Housing Assistance and Prevention (HAP) grant application. The county is preparing to apply for $2.57 million in funding to support homelessness initiatives, with a focus on housing stability and prevention efforts. The board is seeking community input on how to best allocate these resources, especially in light of current funding limitations.

As Marin County continues to address both waste management and homelessness, these decisions reflect a commitment to maintaining essential services while adapting to economic pressures and community needs.