Board approves 3% Prop. 218 inflation adjustment for unincorporated garbage service

The Solano County Board of Supervisors on March 3 adopted a resolution approving a 3% inflationary rate adjustment for solid waste, organic and recycling services in unincorporated areas under Proposition 218.

Narcissa Sontal, principal planner with the Department of Resource Management, summarized the county’s franchise service areas (four haulers cover various unincorporated zones), mandatory service requirements for certain parcels, and the historical 3% annual inflationary adjustment in the prior 2014–2024 contract. She said the department had mailed Prop. 218 notices to affected account holders and parcel owners between Jan. 1 and Jan. 16 and had received fewer than 10 direct inquiries plus 20 written protests prior to the close of today’s hearing.

Sontal reported that 5,818 parcels are affected and that a majority protest would require at least 2,910 valid written protests; the clerk reported receipt of 20 protests, insufficient to block the adjustment. Staff estimated the residential impact at roughly $0.82 to $1.19 monthly, depending on cart size; commercial impacts vary with container type and pickup frequency.

Supervisor questions addressed contract administration history, the county franchise fee (reported at 5% of gross receipts since 2003), and whether consolidation of contracts might yield savings; staff said consolidation would be considered. With no majority protest, the board moved, seconded and approved the 3% adjustment by a 4–0 vote. The adjustment will be applied to contractor rates collected from customers and is intended to align with historical contract indexing while negotiations continue for a longer-term agreement.