Arroyo Grande council adopts 4.92% solid-waste rate adjustment, rejects majority protest

Arroyo Grande City Council on Jan. 14 adopted a 4.92% adjustment to the city—s integrated solid-waste collection rates, effective Jan. 15, 2025, after a public hearing and a finding that no majority protest had been received.

The increase, presented by Nicole Valentine, Arroyo Grande—s director of administrative services, follows a county-coordinated review by consultant R3 and South County Sanitary Service—s application under the City of San Luis Obispo—s rate-setting methodology. Valentine told the council the recommended adjustment —will provide key benefits to the city in terms of rate predictability and stability— and that the technical recommendation from R3 set the adjustment at 4.92%.

The change will affect residential monthly billing; for example, the 32-gallon regular monthly charge shown in the staff materials increases from $27.33 to $28.67 (an increase of $1.34) under the 4.92% adjustment. The new methodology also includes updated depreciation schedules for trucks, an updated profit allowance, allowance for…