Recology Rates: Taking Out the Trash May Cost You More

In a notice mailed out late last week, the City of Belmont is advising residents and businesses that trash/recycling collection service agency Recology, the has proposed an increase to rates for residential and commercial customers starting in January 2014. 

The proposed 12.15 percent increase is related to the rate-smoothing option adopted in 2012 and discussed at the Belmont City Council meeting last Tuesday. (More information can be found under Hot Topic's on the city's website.)  

A little (recent) history of garbage rates in Belmont:

During the process for setting rates for 2012, the calculated maximum rate increase requested by Recology was 29% and at that time, the city council directed staff to find solutions to minimize the maximum rate increase.

In response to council’s direction, Recology proposed a rate smoothing option which reduced the 2012 rate increase to 11.6 percent. The new agreement included the following key elements:  

1. The 2011 Migration Recovery Surcharge originally due to take place in 2012 was spread over 2013-2016, with interest at prime plus one percent. 
2. A one-time Migration Adjustment credit of $182,334 in 2012 that would have been included in the 2011 Migration Recovery Surcharge was spread over 2013-2016. 
3. The final Migration Recovery Surcharge and Migration Adjustment due to take effect in 2013 was delayed until 2014. 

On July 31, 2013, Recology provided the city a letter and detailed worksheet outlining their calculation of the maximum rate for 2014. The calculation, due in part to the rate smoothing adopted by council, indicates a maximum rate adjustment of 12.15% over the 2013 rates--which is where the current proposed rate increase of 12.15 percent was derived. 

So, how will this proposed increase shake out in your garbage bill?

Residential rates (quarterly/based on size of garbage cart):
 
20-gallon cart
Current Rate--$19.27
Proposed rate on Jan. 1, 2014--$21.61
32-gallon cart
Current rate---$31.91
Proposed rate on Jan. 1, 2014--$35.79
64-gallon cart
Current rate--$70.32
Proposed rate on Jan. 1, 2014--$78.86
96-gallon cart
Current rate--$113.68
Proposed rate on Jan. 1, 2014--$127.49

A pubic hearing on the proposed rate increase will be held Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Belmont City Hall, One Twin Pines Way. 

To submit a formal protest, submit, in writing via US mail or hand-delivered to the Belmont City Clerk's office, City of Belmont, One Twin Pines Lane, Suite 375, Belmont, CA 94002. Include the original signature of the property owner or solid waste customer. Written protests may also be submitted at the Nov. 26 hearing.  Email or fax will not be accepted. 

For more information, contact Recology at 650-595-3900, or click here.