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 staff to bring that down even further for this year," Aragon said.

Several residents who spoke at the hearing urged the council to weigh the cost to households but said the proposed increase was modest in light of services Virtek provides. "What this really comes down to is a dollar 33¢ a month," said resident Junior Carrillo. "When you stop and look at the cleanups they do, which are no cost to the city, the dump days, the large items... it really is cheap for what they're doing for us." Clementina Pina said she appreciated the relatively small increase but cautioned that San Bernardino's needs differ from neighboring Loma Linda: "You cannot compare Loma Linda to San Bernardino. No way."

Council members pressed staff and the franchisee for clarifications during and after the hearing. Council member Ortiz asked whether discounts and smaller container options are available; Virtek said a 10% senior discount exists (generally for accounts in the senior's name) and that a 35-gallon container option has been added for households that generate less waste. Council members also asked about bulky-item collections (Virtek said the contract provides two collections per year, up to five items per collection) and street-sweeping schedule responsibilities (staff said schedule decisions rest with Virtek, while signage costs are addressed with designated funds).

City staff provided a regional comparison showing San Bernardino's proposed maximum rate remains lower than many neighboring jurisdictions; staff said the proposed $27.75 maximum is below the regional average of about $37.07 among surveyed cities.

Votes at a glance - Adopt third amendment to franchise agreement and increases to maximum permitted solid waste service rates (residential maximum moved from $26.42 to $27.75 as the not-to-exceed rate). Motion by Councilmember Theodore Sanchez; seconded by Councilmember Marie Knauss. Voice vote recorded as unanimous: Sanchez, Ibarra, Mayor Pro Tem (name not specified in transcript), Charette, Knauss, Flores, Ortiz, Mayor Ellen Tran. Outcome: approved. (Protest tabulation: 13 written protests received; majority protest threshold 20,638 parcels; no majority protest.)

- Approve annual renewal of the city's risk management insurance policies in the amount stated in the agenda. Motion/second and roll-call voice votes taken; recorded as passed (unanimous voice vote). (Amount read in the agenda: $300,033,937,089 as stated on the agenda packet.)

- Approve item to participate at the table to discuss housing opportunities at the Patton State Hospital campus (as presented on the agenda). Motion by Councilmember Ortiz; seconded by Councilmember Flores; recorded as approved (unanimous voice vote). The council vote added the city to the discussion; councilors discussed concerns about naming a specific nonprofit in the motion during debate.

- Approve strategic planning, goal-setting and team-building session. Motion by Councilmember Sanchez; seconded and approved (unanimous voice vote).

What the actions mean for residents The vote establishes a new not-to-exceed residential maximum rate and affirms the city will continue the franchise relationship and oversight under the terms of the agreement with Virtek. Staff and Virtek said the adopted increase is primarily a CPI adjustment and passes through a portion of SB 1383 compliance costs; Virtek said it did not pass through the full anticipated SB 1383 cost in this first year.

Council members and staff pledged to increase community outreach about discounts and program options. Council member Ortiz asked that the city and Virtek refresh outreach materials and use social media and multilingual notices to remind residents that senior discounts and smaller-container options exist and to explain bulky-item and dump-day services.

Why it matters: the change affects roughly 41,000 residential accounts in San Bernardino and adjusts the city's maximum allowed charge under the franchise agreement while leaving the city with ongoing implementation and reporting responsibilities under SB 1383.

Provenance topicintro: transcript block starting at 635.64 — evidence excerpt: "Alright. We will now move on to public hearing item number 2. Conduct a public hearing to consider adjusting the maximum permitted service rates for integrated solid waste collection, processing, and disposal services." topicfinish: transcript block starting at 4110.035 — evidence excerpt: "There is you're welcome. There is a motion by councilor Sanchez, seconded by councilor Marie Knauss. Please call for the votes, at least voice votes... Motion passes unanimously."