Council authorizes Prop 218 notice for annual solid‑waste rate adjustment

The City Council voted April 8 to begin Proposition 218 proceedings to notify property owners about a proposed inflationary adjustment to solid‑waste collection rates under the city's 2022 franchise agreement.

Staff explained the 2022 franchise set a three‑year fixed rate implementation and the city is now moving to the contract's inflationary adjustment formula, which factors collection, disposal and recycling costs. "We're looking at now an inflationary adjustment pursuant to the franchise agreement that was adopted by the council in 2022," staff said. The item authorizes staff to mail Prop 218 notices and ballots and sets the process for a protest hearing.

Several councilmembers raised operational and equity questions: how to treat vacant second homes and short‑term rentals that pay for service they may not use, how to pass charges from property owners to tenants, and whether new pricing alternatives (e.g., per‑use or card‑swipe fees at the clean‑bear site) were feasible. The city attorney noted the municipal solid‑waste ordinance and state health code define refuse as a mandatory service; the ordinance currently requires all properties to pay for refuse service regardless of utilization.

Despite those concerns, the council approved the staff recommendation to begin the Prop 218 process; Mayor Puts recused from the vote. Members also asked staff to consider and report on alternative pricing structures for future discussion.

Next steps: staff will mail ballots under Prop 218, hold the scheduled hearing, and return with ballot results and any proposed rate adoption.