Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ross council adopts 3.61% cap on Marin Sanitary Service rates, effective Jan. 1
Summary
The Ross Town Council on Dec. 12 adopted Resolution 2442 establishing a 3.61% maximum rate adjustment for Marin Sanitary Service, a change town staff said will add $1.77 per month to a 32-gallon residential cart and is effective Jan. 1, 2025.
The Ross Town Council voted unanimously Dec. 12 to adopt Resolution 2442, authorizing maximum rates Marin Sanitary Service (MSS) may impose beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
Town Manager Krista Johnson told the council the franchised rate-setting methodology used by Ross and neighboring jurisdictions was reviewed by R3 Consulting Group. "R3 found that the MSS rate request of 3.61% for rates to be appropriate under the methodology," Johnson said. Under that adjustment, Johnson said, "the 3.61% rate adjustment will result in an increase of $1.77 per month for a residential 32 gallon cart with the monthly cost then totaling $50.88." She noted recycling service is included in accounts and customers can reduce container size to lower bills.
Johnson explained the franchise agreement requires an annual rate review and that jurisdictions in Marin coordinate through an informal Marin Franchisers Group to reduce duplicate costs and use a single annual rate analysis. She said the proposed adjustment complies with Proposition 26, as noted in the staff report.
R3 and MSS representatives responded to council questions about how rates vary across jurisdictions. An R3 consultant explained comparative charts are “not an apples-to-apples comparison” and are influenced by service territory, road conditions and differing fees. Patty Garberino of MSS described operational context and staff who perform sorting and collection; she thanked the council for allowing MSS to serve Ross and invited officials to tour MSS facilities next year.
Councilmember roll call indicated Salter, Dowling, Mayor Pro Tem McMillan, Robins and Mayor Kercher all voted in favor; the motion carried 5-0. The resolution sets maximum allowable rates rather than directly altering the franchise agreement terms. The council discussion included references to last year’s 6.39% increase and the desire to keep Ross rates below the Marin County average when possible.
The resolution will take effect Jan. 1, 2025. MSS representatives said they will offer tours and additional outreach after the new year.
