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Council sets solid-waste, recycling rates; city and contractor highlight SB 1383 progress
Summary
Rancho Mirage approved a rate increase for residential solid waste and recycling service to $30.93 per month effective July 1, 2025, and heard a year‑in‑review presentation from service provider Virtek on SB 1383 compliance and diversion achievements.
The Rancho Mirage City Council on May 15 adopted new maximum solid-waste and recycling collection and disposal rates for fiscal year 2025–26, increasing the standard single‑family residential rate from $29.80 to $30.93 per month effective July 1, 2025.
Deputy Sustainability Manager Jessica Pulliam said the rate-setting follows contract parameters in the city’s agreement with service provider Virtek. The change reflects a 2.61% consumer price index increase to the collection component (capped at 5% under the contract), an increase in Riverside County disposal fees (from $72.98 to $75.83 per ton) and commodity-credit adjustments for recyclables. Pulliam described those components and noted that residential diversion of organics has helped blunt larger increases.
Pulliam introduced Virtek representatives who presented a 2024 year-in-review showing citywide diversion totals: residents diverted about 1,589 tons of organics and 1,561 tons of dry recyclables; businesses diverted 5,829 tons of organics and 4,232 tons of recyclables. Virtek also reported a 19% increase in residential organics and a 47% increase in commercial organics participation year over year.
Clara Rivera, Virtek municipal marketing manager, and Ken Stevens, district environmental coordinator, highlighted outreach, SB 1383 compliance activities, bulky-item and mattress collection, and commercial outreach (2,215 business contacts in 2024). The council and staff noted state requirements under Senate Bill 1383 that expanded organics collection and brought new education and compliance obligations for cities and haulers.
Resident Brad Anderson commented that the combined rate change appeared larger in the staff report and reiterated concerns he raised at contract approval about costs and SB 1383. Council members and the city manager praised Jessica Pulliam and Virtek for implementation and noted that CalRecycle invited Rancho Mirage staff to present their approach as a model for other cities.
The council adopted the rate resolution 5-0; staff will publish the new rate schedule and contact information for service changes ahead of the July 1 effective date.
