CalWaste tells Galt City Council mandatory organics rules and a capped rate hike will raise most households' bills about $2.50 a month
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Summary
CalWaste presented its annual service update to the Galt City Council, said contract formula and state requirements drove a near‑5% cap on commercial rates and roughly a 4.5% residential rise (about $2.50 for the common 64‑gallon cart), and reviewed outreach and route‑audit plans.
CalWaste representatives told the Galt City Council on Feb. 17 that statewide organics rules and the franchise contract will push a modest rate increase for most residents while maintaining the three‑cart collection system.
Rudy Vaccareza, a CalWaste representative, said the company had achieved ‘‘100% compliance’’ with the state's SB 1383 organics program in Galt and described operational steps the firm is taking, including quarterly commercial outreach and a planned residential route audit covering roughly 800 customers. ‘‘We paid roughly about $740,000 in franchise fees to the city,’’ Vaccareza said, noting the company also pays a host fee to the city from tonnage processed at its materials‑recovery facility.
Vaccareza explained the annual rate adjustment is tied to a water/waste CPI index in the franchise agreement and that a 5% cap in the contract limits the increase for commercial customers. ‘‘Commercial and industrial rates will go up 5%, but the residential rates go up just shy of about 4 and a half percent,’’ he said, estimating the most common 64‑gallon residential service would rise about $2.50 per month.
Council members pressed for details on the CPI formula and equity for low‑income households. Vaccareza said the index is based on a sector‑specific CPI (not strictly Bay Area CPI) and that the company has historically tried to smooth increases rather than impose large one‑time adjustments: ‘‘We try to consistently do this year over year and chip away rather than wait 4 years and have to come back for a 20% rate increase.’’
Members of the public asked whether residents who rarely use curbside services could pay for a smaller level of service. Vaccareza said smaller carts are an available option but acknowledged the cost differential was small in some cases; Ron Lutzenheiser, a resident who uses the system from outside the city, told the council he pays for services he rarely needs and urged the city to review low‑income options.
CalWaste also highlighted community programs, including deliveries of compost to local schools and scholarship support for students. The company said it will conduct route audits (with prior notice to customers) and report results to the state as required.
The presentation was informational; no council action on rates occurred that night. Council members asked staff to follow up on outreach and affordability options and to monitor the planned route audits and their statewide reporting consequences.
