Board confirms special assessment process for unpaid solid-waste fees, extends appeal deadline to July 25

Monterey County supervisors voted July 8 to confirm the delinquent solid-waste account report and to permit unpaid solid-waste hauling fees to be collected as special assessments on affected property tax bills, after a two-step appeal and verification process. The board also accepted staff's decision to extend the deadline to file appeals to 5 p.m. Friday, July 25.

Background and process: County staff said that the mandatory solid-waste service ordinance for unincorporated areas (adopted in 2010) means parcels must have service and that unpaid accounts historically caused other customers' rates to increase. Under the new unified franchise agreement with Waste Management, state law permits unpaid trash charges to become special assessments on the property tax roll, but only after property owners have had an opportunity to contest the charges.

Two-step appeal: The county described a two-step dispute-resolution process. First, Waste Management performs an initial review of an appeal and any supporting documents and may remove, adjust or uphold charges. Second, Monterey County Environmental Health will conduct an independent review to ensure fairness and make final determinations before the clerk transmits the delinquency report to the auditor-controller for inclusion on the 2025-26 tax roll (if unresolved). Staff also said that if a mistake is discovered after assessment, Waste Management is responsible for refunding any overcharge.

Key dates and outreach: Environmental Health said the appeals deadline will be extended through 5 p.m. Friday, July 25. Staff highlighted an outreach and assistance approach — a direct phone line to Waste Management's Castroville office ((831) 796-2263), an 800 number, and an email (wmcmcsa@wm.com) — and said county staff would work with Waste Management to reach property owners and review appeals in that period. The board authorized transmission of the final delinquency report to the auditor-controller after the disputes process is finalized.

Board action: Supervisor Alejo moved to confirm the delinquency report, authorize unpaid solid-waste hauling fees to be collected via special assessments (after the dispute-resolution process), and direct the clerk to transmit a certified final report to the auditor-controller; Supervisor Church seconded. The roll-call vote was unanimous.

Why it matters: For homeowners and landlords the change means unpaid solid-waste charges can become a property tax special assessment if not resolved through the appeals process. For landlords and tenants, county staff emphasized that solid-waste service is tied to the parcel rather than the tenant, meaning property owners must pay attention to notices.

Next steps: County staff will continue to work with Waste Management to resolve appealed accounts and will finalize the delinquency report for submission to the auditor-controller ahead of the tax-roll deadline.