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Rolling Hills OKs 5% refuse assessment increase after public hearing; eight written protests recorded
Summary
City council held a public hearing on a Republic Services contract CPI increase, received eight written protests but determined no majority protest existed, and adopted Resolution No. 1394 to raise the annual refuse assessment five percent.
The Rolling Hills Estates City Council adopted Resolution No. 1394 after a public hearing Tuesday and approved the maximum five percent increase to the city refuse assessment tied to the franchise agreement with Republic Services.
City staff said the increase is the contractual consumer price index (CPI) adjustment allowed under the franchise agreement with Republic Services and that the CPI figure used is the U.S. city average index for water, sewer and trash collection services; the adjustment hit the agreement’s five-percent cap. Robert Zamora, identified at the hearing as the city’s finance director/consultant, said the per-parcel annual charge will increase from $1,432.11 to $1,503.72 for the coming year.
The hearing was held pursuant to Proposition 218 notice requirements; staff said mailed notices were sent to property owners and affected tenants at least 45 days before the hearing. The city clerk reported receiving eight written protest letters submitted prior to the close of the hearing and advised the council that a majority protest did not exist. After public comment and staff answers to council members’ questions, a motion to approve Resolution No. 1394 carried with all council members present voting in favor.
Council discussion focused on confirming which exact CPI series was used for the calculation. Council member Pat Wilson asked staff to include a one-page printout or screenshot of the specific CPI series used in future hearings so residents could confirm the index referenced.
Public comment during the hearing was brief; one resident asked for clarification of the new dollar amount and another emphasized that separate issues with the refuse and recycling program were outside the scope of the CPI-only hearing.
The council’s action authorizes staff to place the increased annual refuse assessment on the property tax roll for next fiscal year per the franchise agreement and Proposition 218 procedures. No additional, separate rate changes for recycling or other service elements were considered in this hearing.
