San Bernardino council adopts franchise amendment, raises maximum permitted solid‑waste rates

San Bernardino — The San Bernardino City Council adopted a third amendment to the city—s solid‑waste franchise agreement at its July 2, 2025, meeting and approved an increase to the maximum permitted residential collection rates following a public hearing and public comment period.

City staff told the council the amendment updates the franchise agreement the city entered into on Jan. 19, 2016, and reflects previous modifications, including two amendments approved Jan. 25, 2016, and a July 2024 amendment and a March 31, 2024 extension. The staff presentation said the franchise holder (referred to in the record variously as "Burtech/Bartech/Vertech") provides collection for multifamily properties and commercial containers and makes annual payments and infrastructure contributions to the city under the contract.

The hearing was held under the requirements of Proposition 218 and the city—s protest procedures, staff said. Staff reported that 13 written protests were submitted to the hearing record but that the written protests did not constitute a majority by parcel; after staff—s review the city concluded a majority protest did not exist and the council proceeded to adopt the third amendment and the rate adjustments after public comment. No roll‑call vote tally was given in the spoken…