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Willows council approves Waste Management—s 2.95% 2026 CPI rate increase
Summary
Council approved Waste Management—s annual CPI‑based rate adjustment for calendar year 2026 — a 2.95% increase — within the contract cap of 5%. Waste Management representative Diana Ramirez explained the CPI components and why commercial bin rates are higher than residential cart rates.
The Willows City Council unanimously approved a 2.95% consumer price index increase to Waste Management residential and commercial rates for calendar year 2026, as presented at the Dec. 9 meeting.
City Manager Marty Brown said the adjustment is an annual contract update; the franchise agreement authorizes a CPI increase of up to 5%. Diana Ramirez, representing Waste Management, said the calculation uses the urban‑consumers Western regional CPI, diesel fuel and tipping‑fee changes. "Because the density for residential allows that vehicle to collect at more stops with less driving versus commercial where there's a bit more driving in between locations," Ramirez said in explaining why commercial front‑end load bin rates are higher than residential automated cart rates.
Ramirez gave specific examples from the staff report: a 35‑gallon residential cart would increase from $23.10 to $23.78 and a 64‑gallon cart from $24.98 to $25.72 per month. Council members praised Waste Management—s responsiveness and noted the fuel allocation adjustment had decreased recently, which Ramirez attributed to moderating diesel prices over the past year.
The vote to approve the rate adjustment was 3–0. Council members said they appreciated Waste Management—s customer service record and the relatively modest increase amid uneven economic conditions.
