Supervisors renew rate‑adjustment method for two franchise areas, approve subcontracting for a third

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved amendments to three solid waste handling franchise agreements, renewing the existing cost‑of‑living rate adjustment methodology in Franchise Areas 17 and 21 and authorizing limited subcontracting for Franchise Area 16.

Noel Castillo of the county Department of Public Works told the board the action fulfills Proposition 2 18 notice requirements for renewing the methodology used to calculate annual rate adjustments. The renewal would keep the current cost indices in place for a four‑year period from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2029. Castillo said notices were mailed to property owners in the affected franchise areas on or before Feb. 21, 2025, and that, "as of last Friday, we were not aware of any protests being filed."

Castillo also explained that collection services in Franchise Area 16 have changed since July 2023 in response to California senate bill 13 83; the franchisee for Area 16 operates three zones, and the amendment for Area 16 would permit the grantee to subcontract collection services for one zone to an adjacent hauler after county consent. He stressed that customers in the affected zone "will not experience an increase in their bills" because billing will continue under the franchised hauler’s rates.

The board took a motion from Supervisor Hagman, seconded by Vice Chair Baca, and approved the ordinance and associated amendments 5‑0. Castillo told the board the franchisee must obtain the director of Public Works’ consent and provide a copy of any subcontract agreement before subcontracting begins.