Belmont council sets public process for 2026 Recology solid-waste rate increases after consultant review

City staff and consultant HDR presented the annual review of Recology’s solid-waste rate application to the Belmont City Council on Sept. 9. HDR reported that the maximum rate calculations for 2026 are consistent with the franchise agreement and recommended the city proceed with required notifications and a public hearing process.

Josiah Close of HDR said the 2026 calculation contains two components: a base contractor-cost escalator and a pass-through tied to disposal (tip) fees. Close reported the combined effect produces a 1.45% increase for scheduled (routine) collection services and a 1.27% increase for additional services listed in Schedule Q. “That component was 2.03%. So in total, that's how we get to the 1.45%,” Close explained during his presentation.

Public works staff (identified in the record as Amnesia Patel, public works director) and Recology’s community outreach manager, Monica Divincenci, were present to answer questions. Councilmember McCune, who participates in regional solid-waste board work, said the proposed increase was modest given new environmental requirements and recommended approval.

Council voted 5-0 to approve staff’s recommendation to begin the Proposition 218 notification process and set a public hearing for Nov. 25 to receive protests. Staff noted the increase translates to less than $1 a month for many residential customers under the franchise schedules. No written protests were recorded at the Sept. 9 meeting.

The council’s vote initiates the statutorily required public-notice timeline and sets Nov. 25 as the public hearing when the city will count protests under the Proposition 218 process.