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Corte Madera council approves 2.2% rate increase for Mill Valley Refuse Services
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Summary
The Corte Madera Town Council unanimously adopted Resolution 13 20 26 approving a 2.2% CPI-based increase to Mill Valley Refuse Services rates, effective July 1, 2026, after hearing company justification and mixed public comment about service and affordability.
The Corte Madera Town Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 13 20 26, approving a 2.2% increase to the maximum rates Mill Valley Refuse Services (MVRS) may charge, with new rates to take effect July 1, 2026. Council members Andrews, Beckman, Vice Mayor Casiza and Mayor Thomas recorded "yes" votes.
Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Vaughn told the council the request is an annual CPI-based adjustment and does not trigger a full base-rate review because the increase does not exceed the franchise agreement's CPI threshold. The town's franchise with MVRS dates to 1965 and remains in effect through Dec. 31, 2026; staff said they are working on a new franchise agreement for council consideration later this year.
MVRS CEO Gene Del Zopa, who spoke at the hearing, said the company filed the rate application on March 27, 2026, and cited cost pressures including anticipated increases tied to a pending collective bargaining agreement, health and benefit costs, diesel-price volatility and disposal costs. Del Zopa said the 2.2% CPI proposal is below the five-year average of past requests and, in his view, "is sufficient to maintain operations." He described investments in digitized field tablets, upgraded cameras and multiyear fleet reinvestment as part of operational needs.
Council members pressed MVRS and staff on whether the company's materials had been validated. Vaughn said she reviewed MVRS's submission for consistency against prior rate applications but that a more in-depth validation would be performed by the specialized R3 reviewer if a full base-rate change were requested. On the projected system shortfall, a council member referenced the company's disclosure of an estimated system-wide shortfall of roughly $867,800; MVRS representatives said the 2.2% CPI request does not require a full accounting review and is meant to be sensitive to customers while preserving operations.
Public commenters were split. One longtime resident urged council to reconsider a separate town policy on reappointing long-serving volunteers and warned against losing institutional knowledge. Other residents voiced concerns about service quality and cost: one said that historical enforcement to ensure customers had active contracts made small households feel overcharged, noting that for minimal garbage quantities the cost can "feel unjustifiable;" another complained about missed pickups, difficult customer service interactions and a confusing website and urged "accountability and transparency." An online commenter, Bridal Wolford, praised MVRS for responsiveness during recent flooding.
Town staff confirmed legal notices were published and public outreach was done through the town newsletter, website, Facebook and Nextdoor; staff recommended adoption of the resolution. Following public comment and council discussion about the legal standard (a fair rate of return rather than an entitlement to a fixed percentage), the council approved the resolution.
The new rates will be reflected in updated rate sheets and terms and conditions taking effect July 1, 2026. The council and MVRS representatives said the company would follow up directly with residents who reported service problems.
What's next: The town is working on a new franchise agreement with MVRS for council consideration later this year; a full base-rate review remains available if a future application exceeds CPI-based thresholds.
