City staff told the Berkeley City Council on April 29 that the proposed 2025–26 budget removes the residential yard‑waste bag‑tag program, shifts yard‑waste processing to a leased private operator and keeps curbside leaf and brush collection on a biweekly schedule.

Presenters said the city expects to lose approximately $120,000 in tag revenue after eliminating the tag program but that leasing the composting facility to a private operator should reduce operational costs and improve compost quality. Staff identified the private operator as handling permitting and day‑to‑day compost operations; they said the operator will manage regulatory requirements and allow the city to explore expanded food‑waste composting in the future.

Solid‑waste presenters also described buying a smaller, more maneuverable chipper to supplement the large storm‑damage chipper on the fleet; staff said the smaller unit will be more efficient for routine curbside brush work and reduce wear and idling problems associated with the large, emissions‑intensive chipper in stop/start operations.

Staff reported the solid‑waste fund remains operationally balanced for the budget cycle but flagged a procurement risk: the city’s curbside and disposal contract will be re‑bid in a couple of years and earlier market responses show vendors trending 25–30% higher in some jurisdictions. Staff said the fund’s current balance is a deliberate cushion to smooth any large rate or fee adjustments when the contract is reissued.

Councilors asked about downtown recycling drop‑off, contamination risk, and possible pilot programs to increase public recycling. Staff said contamination at unattended downtown collection stations is a major operational challenge and that pilot staffing or school‑intern monitoring could be part of a future plan.

Ending: Staff said they will place the solid‑waste budget as presented on the public hearing agenda and return with details about compost operations, chipper procurement and the timing of the contract re‑bid.