Lake Forest council approves CR&R rate adjustments after Prop. 218 hearing; staff cites state mandates and new services

The Lake Forest City Council on April 1 held a Proposition 218 majority-protest hearing on proposed rate adjustments for residential and commercial solid-waste services and voted to permit CR&R Environmental Services to implement the adjusted rates on July 1, 2025. The council voted to adopt the staff recommendation; the motion passed unanimously.

City staff presented the terms of the new solid-waste agreement with CR&R, approved previously on June 4, 2024, and described new equipment and service additions that accompanied the contract. Chris Groves, city staff presenting the hearing, said, “The new trucks ... have collision avoidance systems, leak detection, and fire suppression systems to make them safer,” and explained that rollout of new residential carts compliant with SB 1383 coloring requirements would begin in the coming weeks.

Groves told the council the rollouts and new services include new residential carts and commercial bins, a web page residents can use to check when carts will be exchanged, kitchen countertop pails starting in July, two annual free compost giveaways, an annual drop-off event for bulky items, and two curbside household-hazardous-waste pickups next year. She also said the city mailed hearing notices to more than 33,000 property owners, commercial customers, tenants and occupants covering 20,516 parcels, and that staff had received 26 written protests opposing any fee increase.

Groves summarized the rate impact for residents: “The rate adjustment would increase residential rates between 27¢ and $2.02 depending on the trash cart size of your bundle.” She also noted that, even after the increase, Lake Forest’s bundled rate (trash, recycling and organics) would remain among the lower rates in Orange County based on the city’s most recent survey.

During public comment, resident Andrew O’Connor questioned the procurement and cost savings, alleged conflicts related to campaign contributions, and criticized the city’s transparency on contract savings. Mayor Boyds responded that campaign contributions made years earlier do not create a conflict under FPPC rules unless given within three months of a contract vote. Council members explained the cost-savings approach: Lake Forest and Laguna Hills shared procurement work to increase scale and competition, then executed separate contracts in which each city pays only for its own service.

Council discussion emphasized state mandates as a driver of cost. Council members highlighted SB 1383 and other state requirements that expanded organics collection and required new cart colors and services. Council members who served on the ad hoc for the procurement said the joint effort with Laguna Hills produced competitive bids and that Lake Forest’s contract covers only Lake Forest services.

Staff recommendation to adopt the resolution permitting CR&R to adjust rates was moved and seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Staff said the adjusted rates would become effective July 1, 2025.

City staff recorded 26 written protests as of the afternoon before the hearing. Under Proposition 218, if a majority of the 20,516 affected parcels submitted timely written protests, the council would be barred from imposing the rate increases. The city reported 26 protests and proceeded with the adoption because that number was well below a majority.

The council did not direct a rehearing or additional study; staff confirmed outreach and cart-exchange scheduling information would be posted online and that residents would receive notification as rollouts begin.

Votes at a glance: Proposition 218 public hearing on solid-waste rate adjustments — motion to adopt staff recommendation permitting CR&R to adjust rates effective July 1, 2025; outcome: approved (motion passed unanimously).