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Rolling Hills Estates council adopts one-year refuse rate increase after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing, the Rolling Hills Estates City Council adopted Resolution No. 1414 to raise the city —enter refuse service assessment for one year. Staff said Republic Services pplies a 4.9% industry CPI that will raise the city's cost by about $50,000 and the per-parcel assessment by roughly $40.
The Rolling Hills Estates City Council on a unanimous vote adopted Resolution No. 1414 to increase the city's maximum refuse service rate for one year following a public hearing on the proposal.
City staff explained the increase stems from the contract with Republic Services, which allows an annual industry-specific CPI adjustment for water, sewer and trash collection services. Staff member Mr. Samario told the council the industry CPI for the relevant period was 4.9 percent, which staff said increases the hauler's compensation by roughly $50,000 (from about $1.03 million to about $1.08 million) and would raise the per-parcel assessment on the roughly 701 assessed parcels by about $40 (from roughly $1,538 to about $1,577 per parcel). The city uses the county to collect parcel assessments on the property tax roll, staff said.
At the opening of the hearing Mayor Daringer outlined notice and protest rules required by Proposition 218: written protests must be submitted before the close of the hearing to be counted, and only one written protest per parcel may be tallied. The city clerk reported the city received eight valid written protests prior to the hearing's close; staff stated a majority would require 336 protests and concluded a majority protest does not exist, allowing the council to proceed.
During public comment several residents raised service concerns while addressing the rate increase. Romel Lechan, who identified himself with a Portuguese Bend address, said his green-waste pickup was missed and urged the city to press Republic Services on performance. Judith, a resident of 31 Eastfield Drive, asked whether recycling is included; staff said the contract includes recycling but that material-handling constraints (including a past facility fire) have affected residential recycling service, and that the hauler meets diversion thresholds in aggregate using green-waste collection.
Council members asked whether tenants are entitled to protest. Staff said assessments are recorded against the property owner on the tax roll, but tenants who are directly liable under a lease may have standing to file a written protest if they are the party directly responsible for payment.
The motion to adopt Resolution No. 1414 (one-year increase) was moved, seconded and approved by the council. The clerk recorded no majority protest and the council voted in favor.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution No. 1414 (adopt maximum refuse service rate for one year): Adopted (motion moved and seconded; unanimous vote). - Resolution No. 1412 (FY 2026-27 budget): Adopted (see separate article). - Resolution No. 1413 (annual appropriations/Gann limit): Adopted (see separate article).
What happens next
Staff said the increase takes effect according to the schedule in the resolution and that property owners will see the charge on their county tax bill. The city noted written protests remain part of the administrative record (eight were received), and the council directed staff to continue monitoring Republic Services' performance and to respond to service complaints reported by residents.
