Truckee adopts 2025–26 solid waste rates, orders delinquent service charges onto property tax roll

The Truckee Town Council on June 10 adopted new solid‑waste rates for fiscal year 2025–26 and approved a process to place delinquent residential solid‑waste balances on the county tax roll.

Adopted rates and fees

The council adopted Resolution 2025-41 establishing the residential and commercial solid‑waste rates for the coming fiscal year. Using the franchise agreement’s cost‑based adjustment and an independent consultant review, staff reported the following adjustments for Rate Period 8 (FY 2025–26): a 4.753% increase to residential collection rates and a 2.722% increase to commercial rates. Including the town’s administrative fee, the total proposed annual residential parcel charge is $515.28 — $42.94 per month — to be collected as a parcel charge on the secured property tax roll for most parcels. Staff said the town mailed required notice to property owners at least 45 days before the hearing and had received one written protest as of the hearing.

Solid waste program details

Town staff and franchise hauler Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal (TTSD) have implemented a three‑container system to meet state law (SB 1383) that requires collection of recycling, yard waste and food scraps. Staff said increased state compliance, inspection and reporting obligations have raised both franchise and town administrative costs. This year’s adjustment also includes a one‑time reallocation of the cost of cardboard drop‑off bins between residential and commercial accounts because town and TTSD observations indicate roughly half of current use is commercial.

Staff recommended and council authorized continued work to evaluate options to expand commercial recycling service — such as adding an additional weekly recycling pickup day — and to return with a cost analysis and a recommendation for a “special circumstances” rate adjustment for impacted commercial accounts. Staff noted commercial recycling is currently offered in carts (not dumpsters), limited to one day per week, and is free up to a business’s trash generation level.

Delinquent accounts: tax‑roll placement and administrative fee

Separately, the council adopted Resolution 2025-39 authorizing the county auditor‑controller to place unpaid solid‑waste balances greater than $50 on the secured tax roll. Town staff said customers were notified by TTSD and by the town; customers have until June 30 (4:00 p.m.) to pay before charges are added to property taxes. Staff also proposed, for future consideration, adding a delinquent‑account administrative fee to cover county charges, postage and town staff time; the proposal will be discussed at the next fee schedule update.

Council discussion and public comment

Councilors asked for clarification on how expanded recycling services might be charged and whether they could be geographically limited to major commercial corridors. Staff said they will analyze how many businesses are likely to use additional collection and consider options for cost recovery — either concentrated to specific parcels or spread across a broader commercial rate base — and will bring a recommendation back. Staff also discussed the availability of wildlife‑resistant carts and the higher capital cost of those containers; the topic will be considered in the next franchise negotiation cycle as part of a longer‑term collection agreement that begins in 2028.

Voting and next steps

Council member [not specified in transcript] moved adoption of Resolution 2025-41; the motion passed unanimously. Council subsequently adopted Resolution 2025-39 to place delinquent balances on the tax roll; that motion also passed unanimously. Staff will return with a cost analysis and recommendation for enhanced commercial recycling service and a proposed special‑circumstances rate adjustment, and will carry the franchise negotiation work into the 2026–28 cycle leading to a contract that starts July 1, 2028.

Ending

Town staff emphasized that residential rates include a set of bundled services (curbside recycling and yard waste, scheduled overages, bulky item pickups and drop‑off bins) intended to reduce the need for ad hoc fees; council members encouraged continued outreach to help residents and businesses make full use of included services.