Council asks staff for a value breakdown as South Bay COG dues rise to $8,625

City staff brought forward information about South Bay Council of Governments (COG) dues for fiscal year 2026–27 and the council discussed whether the city receives commensurate value for membership.

Staff explained the COG adopted a dues formula in 2024 that ties annual increases to CPI with a 5% cap; under that formula Rolling Hills Estates’ dues for the coming year will be $8,625, up from $8,091. The staff report noted the COG provides a range of services, including administering grant programs and providing regional planning research and resident education materials.

A staff speaker noted one concrete service: "The COG right now is administering some grants for us," and said the COG helps with recycling and organics education and reporting obligations to the state. Several council members questioned the direct, monetary value to the city and asked for a concise staff return showing what the city gets and what it would need to do if it withdrew membership. One councilor asked staff to "monetize what it is" and estimate the cost to provide listed services in-house or through other contracts.

Council discussion referenced housing trust research and other regional projects the COG supports; some councilors said many COG activities do not directly benefit Rolling Hills Estates while others pointed to specific events and materials (for example, election-security information and resident outreach) they had found useful.

The council did not vote to terminate membership. Instead, it voted to receive and file the staff report and directed staff to prepare and return with a brief, monetized breakdown of services the COG provides to the city and the likely repercussions and costs if the city were to withdraw.

The council’s directive is intended to inform a future formal decision about continued membership and dues.