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Lawndale to mail Prop 218 notice after Republic Services requests 4.5% trash-rate increase
Summary
City staff verified Republic Services’ request for a 4.5% CPI-based solid-waste rate increase for 2026 and the council authorized mailing Prop 218 notices and protest ballots to 12,347 parcels; a public hearing is set for March 2, 2026. A majority protest (6,175 valid protests) would block the increase.
Lawndale staff told the City Council on Jan. 5 that Republic Services has requested a 4.5% rate increase for residential, multifamily and commercial trash and recycling collection for 2026 and that the request complies with the city’s franchise agreement.
Yvette Palomo, assistant city clerk, said the 2019 seven-year franchise contract (effective Jan. 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2026, with an option to extend up to two years) allows annual CPI-based adjustments and that staff verified the company’s calculations. "This proposed increase would affect 12,347 parcels citywide," Palomo said, and noted that Proposition 218 requires mailed notices and a protest process before new rates can be adopted.
Palomo told the council the notice packet will include a protest ballot and that Republic Services is responsible for the mailing while the envelope will come from the city. She added the city will post information on its website and social platforms once mailings go out. Under Prop 218, staff said the city would need 6,175 or more valid protests to constitute a majority protest and stop the increase.
The council voted to approve the Prop 218 notice and protest ballot and authorized staff to proceed with mailing; the clerk announced the motion passed unanimously. The public hearing on the proposed rates is scheduled for March 2, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. If a majority protest is not received, the council may adopt the proposed rates, and staff said the proposed rates would take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Palomo also noted the franchise agreement includes senior discounts and that the percentage increase varies by cart size and service frequency for commercial and multifamily accounts. Councilmembers asked about returned mail; staff said the city receives undeliverable envelopes and tracks returns (an estimated 50–100 returns from the 12,000 mailings in past cycles).
