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Mill Valley Refuse requests 2.8% CPI rate increase; council and residents press for more composting outreach
Summary
Mill Valley Refuse asked the council to apply a CPI‑based 2.8% increase to collection rates (about $2.01/month per standard customer) to cover rising labor and insurance costs. Residents and councillors pressed the company on food‑scrap diversion, contamination in public bins and outreach under SB 1383.
Mill Valley Refuse presented a CPI‑based rate adjustment request of 2.8% to take effect 07/01/2025. Company representatives said the proposed increase — about $2.01 per month for a standard residential customer — is within contractual CPI allowances and is intended to ensure fair driver wages, higher insurance costs and continued compliance with state and local mandates.
"This proposed adjustment is below the city's five‑year average rate increase of 3.51%... This increase amounts to $2.01 per month," the Mill Valley Refuse presenter said. Councilmembers and residents pressed the company on how it measures customer satisfaction and monitors compost and food‑scrap diversion. The company said it tracks missed pickups and service exceptions in its internal KPIs, uses labeling, newsletters and partners with local nonprofits and Marin Resource Recovery to improve source separation and compliance with SB 1383.
Residents also urged clearer outreach about 'last‑mile' options and suggested comparative performance metrics showing Belvedere’s diversion and bin‑size usage relative to neighboring jurisdictions. Company staff agreed to consider more targeted email outreach, additional public data on diversion metrics, and working with the city to improve labeling and education.
No formal council action on the rate was required that evening because the increase falls within the contractor’s CPI allowance and is not an action item; staff said it is within contractual limits for annual CPI adjustments.
