Council approves 5% increase in Big Bear Disposal rates after Prop 218 hearing

The City of Big Bear Lake council held a public hearing June 11 under Proposition 218 procedures and approved the city’s solid waste service rates, allowing a 5% across‑the‑board increase for Big Bear Disposal collection services effective July 1, 2025.

City staff explained the franchise agreement with Big Bear Disposal includes a formula for annual inflationary adjustments. For the adjustment year ending March 31, staff used a mix of indices: 75% collection (CPI = 3.01 percent), 15% disposal (county gate fees, flat this period) and 10% processing (recycling facility fees, which rose). That calculation produced a full formula result of roughly 6.4 percent, but Big Bear Disposal had previously requested a 5 percent increase and agreed to hold to the 5 percent request for this implementation period; the remaining calculated 1.4 percent will be carried forward as potential future adjustment.

Staff reported receiving 12 written protests during the comment period; the city clerk tabulated protests and confirmed a majority protest did not exist (5,471 parcels required for majority). The council adopted the resolution approving the new rates; a roll call vote was unanimous in favor.

The motion authorizes the franchise inflationary adjustment described in the contract and updates the full rate schedule in the agenda packet. Staff and council members acknowledged resident concerns about service consistency and said they will continue to monitor contractor performance and pursue service improvements while the rate increase takes effect.

A typical residential monthly service rate will move from $36.43 to $38.25 per month under the adopted 5% increase. Commercial and other tiers were adjusted proportionally; the council packet contains the full revised rate schedule.