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

The San Bernardino City Council voted unanimously to adopt an amendment to the city's franchise agreement and raise the city's maximum permitted solid-waste service rates, after a public hearing and comments from residents and the franchisee.

The increase as adopted sets the maximum monthly single-family residential rate at $27.75 (from the current $26.42) and includes a partial cost-recovery adjustment tied to compliance costs for state recycling law SB 1383. Councilors approved the rate package by voice vote after the city clerk reported that a majority protest did not exist.

The issue was presented by city staff as a Prop 218 hearing to consider adjustments to maximum permitted service rates under the city's franchise agreement with Virtek Waste Industries. Staff said Virtek submitted annual rate calculations under the contract's CPI adjustment clause and later provided an updated submission after staff review. The city has about 41,000 residential customers who would be subject to the service charge, staff said.

Virtek representative Mike Aragon told the council the company negotiated with staff to reduce the initially proposed increase and that most of the dollar change is CPI-based. Aragon said a remaining portion of approximately $0.68 per month for the average residential account reflects part of the costs associated with implementing SB 1383 — the state-mandated organic waste reduction program — including education, outreach, container labeling and required auditing and reporting. "We have negotiated with…