San Bernardino council approves modest solid-waste rate increase after public hearing

The San Bernardino City Council voted unanimously July 2 to adopt a third amendment to the city's refuse franchise agreement and raise the maximum permitted residential solid-waste rate from $26.42 to $27.75 per month.

The council conducted a Prop 218 public hearing to consider Virtek Waste Industries' submitted rate adjustments before acting. "This public hearing was set in compliance with proposition 218," the City Attorney told the council, describing the notice and protest-process requirements under state law.

The hearing drew three in-person speakers and 13 written protests submitted before the close of the hearing. City Clerk tabulation showed 13 valid written protests; the threshold for a majority protest in San Bernardino was 20,638 parcels/customers, so "a majority protest does not exist," the clerk said. With no majority protest, the council proceeded to consider the resolution to approve the amendment and rate schedule.

Why it matters: the increase is small in dollar terms but reflects higher operating and compliance costs for modern refuse operations. The rate change incorporates the annual CPI adjustment and a partial pass-through of costs tied to SB 1383, California's law requiring…