Merced County board adopts ordinance to implement SB 1383 organic-waste rules; county details outreach

The Merced County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to adopt an ordinance amending county code to implement the State of CaliforniaSB 1383 requirements for organic waste collection and disposal.

County staff told the board they have launched a public information campaign tied to the ordinance and to the mandated new services, including a dedicated website, recorded virtual meeting, multilingual flyers and media outreach to help residents and businesses understand changes going into effect July 1, 2025.

The ordinance was introduced Jan. 14, 2025, and the board voted to find the ordinance exempt from environmental review under CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) and to adopt the amendment. Chairman Pedroza moved the motion; the board approved it 4 to 1. Supervisor Silvera recorded a dissent, saying the CEQA exemption was inappropriate.

In a presentation before the vote, a Merced County Executive Office staff member identified as Dahlia summarized the countys outreach plan for SB 1383, saying the county had "launched a dedicated website, MercedCountysb1383.com," that includes frequently asked questions, an interactive map to identify each parcels solid-waste service provider and full rate sheets. Dahlia also said the county included a QR code on mailed notices allowing recipients to access the website directly and that a recording of a Dec. 5 virtual community meeting is available on the site.

Assistant Director of Public Works Lindsey Johnson told the board the county is contracted with Waste Management, Chilton Solid Waste and Mid Valley Disposal to provide refuse collection in the unincorporated areas and that implementation of SB 1383 requires haulers to add organic-waste collection services. "These new mandatory services come at a cost to the haulers," Johnson said, and the county has negotiated contract terms with franchise haulers to include the new services; updated franchise agreements were not yet ready for board action and will be returned at a future meeting.

County outreach also included social-media posts, a radio interview on KYOSs "Community Conversations" and distribution of multilingual flyers to municipal advisory councils, Dahlia said. The staff member estimated 30 to 35 people participated in the countys virtual meeting across Zoom and Facebook, and Johnson confirmed multiple hauler representatives were present at the board meeting to hear public comment.

Supervisor McDaniel said at the meeting that SB 1383 is a state mandate rather than a county initiative and described it as an "unfunded mandate," while Supervisor Pereira suggested the county consider issuing coupons or tickets to ratepayers to encourage use of bulky-item pickups and reduce illegal dumping.

The ordinance adopted by the board amends multiple sections of Chapter 9.06 of the Merced County Code related to organic waste disposal reduction; the ordinance was introduced Jan. 14, 2025 and adopted on the day of the recorded vote. The adopted ordinance and outreach materials state the countys intent to implement the new organic-collection services beginning July 1, 2025.

The board meeting record shows the county will bring updated franchise hauler agreements to a future meeting; the ordinances implementation therefore remains partly contingent on final contract terms with the haulers.