Soledad and two neighboring cities approve 10-year Tri Cities waste franchise; average rates expected to rise about 13%

The City Council of the City of Soledad on June 18 approved a 10-year exclusive franchise agreement with Tri Cities Disposal and Recycling that, if approved by the other two participating cities, would take effect July 1, 2025.

The agreement covers curbside collection of refuse, mixed recycling and organics, commercial recycling programs and weekly street sweeping. Patrick Matthews of Salinas Valley Recycles, the regional contract administrator, told the council the contract keeps existing service levels and adds steps required by recent state regulations, including broader organics collection that will include food waste collected alongside yard waste. Tri Cities representatives said commercial customers would continue to receive unlimited recycling collection at no extra charge, a service the presenter said is rare in the county.

Matthews said the new contract includes a substantial rate adjustment driven by higher labor costs, insurance, truck emissions rules and lower commodity values for recycled materials. He told the council the average increase across typical service tiers is “around 13%.” Tri Cities’ Mallory Treeland offered to provide a rate-comparison sheet that city staff can distribute in a utility bill insert or social media to explain how the change will affect residents.

Council members discussed timing, street-sweeping schedules and outreach for the rate changes. Council member Fernando Anseldo Sanchez pressed for clarity that organics collection will cover food scraps as well as yard waste; the presenter confirmed food waste will be included in the organics stream and encouraged residents to place food loose with yard waste (not bagged).

The council adopted Resolution No. 6248 approving the franchise agreement and authorizing the city manager to execute it on behalf of Soledad. The resolution also approves garbage collection and disposal rates for the 2025–26 rate year under the terms of the draft agreement. The item was presented in a joint process with the cities of Gonzales and Greenfield and will only take effect if all participating cities execute the same form of agreement.

City staff and Tri Cities representatives said they will work with the city on public outreach, including a utility insert and social-media posts, to explain which line items on the utility bill are affected and to give residents examples of the new monthly amounts for common service tiers.

Votes and formal action: the council approved the resolution by voice vote during the June 18 meeting.