Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sanitation Rates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Orinda council reviews proposed 6% solid-waste rate increase; no vote taken
Summary
City staff and a RecycleSmart representative presented proposed solid-waste rate adjustments (a recommended 6% increase) to help smooth a transition to a new long-term contract; council provided feedback and no formal action was taken.
The Orinda City Council discussed proposed solid-waste rate adjustments for residential and commercial customers for the March 1, 2026 '1 February 28, 2027 rate year but did not take action.
Assistant City Manager explained the proposed 6% increase is intended to build reserves with RecycleSmart, the joint-powers authority that sets refuse rates for member cities, so that the transition into a successor long-term contract does not cause a double-digit spike in year one of the new agreement. "The 6% increase for the coming year is intended to help smooth the transition and avoid double digit rate increases in the first year of the new agreement," staff said.
Staff identified Council Member Gee and Council Member Riley as the city's RecycleSmart representatives and described the rate-setting timeline, including a RecycleSmart Board meeting scheduled for Jan. 27, 2026. Council members asked about the vehicle impact fee and whether it adequately covers road damage from collection trucks; staff said the impact-fee study is being updated and that impact fees are placed in a special-revenue fund restricted to streets and improvements. The staff presentation also noted that current impact-fee rules do not apply to private roads.
The council recorded written public comments from Steve Kahn and Charles Porches but heard no in-person speakers on the item. Because this agenda item was for feedback to the city's RecycleSmart representatives, the council provided comments and questions but did not vote.
