Santa Barbara committee votes to phase in higher fees for in‑place curbside collection

A three‑member City of Santa Barbara Sustainability Council Committee voted unanimously May 7 to adopt a phased increase to the optional in‑place curbside solid‑waste fee after staff said the program faces an approximately $1,200,000 annual shortfall.

Environmental specialist Dustin Murback told the committee the city has about 15,000 standard curbside accounts, roughly 665 waiver accounts for customers who qualify because of age or disability, and about 1,400 accounts currently paying for in‑place service. Under the current contract, Murback said, the city pays MarBorg Industries $25 per container per month while customers are charged a flat $44.89 per account. "We are looking at an annual shortfall of $1,200,000," Murback said.

The committee considered two staff options. Option A would immediately raise customer charges to recover full cost. Option B phases in cost recovery over three fiscal years and draws on reserves in the near term (staff…