San Dimas approves 3.23% solid‑waste rate increase for 2026

The San Dimas City Council on Oct. 28 adopted Resolution 2025-54 to approve Waste Management’s 2026 solid‑waste rate adjustment, a 3.23% overall increase effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Lauren Marshall, senior management analyst for Public Works, explained the franchise agreement’s annual adjustment formula: a service component (3.12%) reflecting operational costs, and a disposal component (3.75%) reflecting landfill/disposal changes and organics processing requirements tied to SB 1383. Those components are weighted 75% service and 25% disposal under the franchise agreement, producing the 3.23% adjustment. HF&H consultants independently verified Waste Management’s calculations.

Marshall noted the increase remains below the 5% threshold in the city’s five‑year CPI methodology and therefore did not trigger a full citywide mailing or protest process under Proposition 218; a public‑hearing notice was published in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

For a typical commercial three‑yard bin picked up weekly, the monthly charge would increase from $227.25 to $234.59 (a $7.34 increase). Residential increases vary by cart size; senior residential rates would rise between $0.78 and $1.03 per month depending on cart size. Marshall said the five‑year methodology saves the city about $25,000 annually by avoiding more than 10,000 individual mailings.

Josh Goldman of Waste Management and a Waste Management representative thanked the council and said the company will adapt equipment to serve new developments where necessary.

Resolution 2025-54 passed on a unanimous 5‑0 vote.

Next steps: the adjusted rates take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and Waste Management will notify account holders as required by state and local rules.