Davis City Council Will Consider Garbage Rate Hike Tonight

Davis garbage rates may go up by less than a dollar a month to pay for increased contract costs and implementation of recycling programs.

A public hearing on the proposed 3 percent sanitation rate increase is scheduled to begin at 7:20 during tonight’s City Council meeting.

The one-year boost for residential and commercial customers is expected to increase monthly household bills by 89 cents, from $29.74 to $30.63, according to a staff report.

In a report to the council, Interim Public Works Director Robert A. Clarke and Utilities Manager Jacques stated the rate change will cover the increased cost of the city’s contract with Davis Waste Removal, Inc. for weekly garbage, recycling, yard material and street sweeping services.

Contract costs have gone up in part due to higher Yolo County landfill fees, the report states.

The higher rates will also help pay for recycling programs such as the pilot Commercial Organic Program.

The council will hold another public hearing Sept. 25 before voting on the proposed rate change.

If approved, the new utility rate will go into effect Dec. 1.

In other business, councilmembers are expected to consider a resolution approving an additional $50,000 for a comprehensive water rate study.

If approved, the contract with Bartle Wells Associates would increase from $125,000 to $175,000, according to a staff report.

The study will determine a fair water utility rate to pay for $8 million to $10 million in annual operation, maintenance and capital improvement costs.

If city officials decide to proceed with a surface water project, rates will have to cover an additional $3.6 million a year in operation costs and roughly $11 million in debt service costs, the report said.

The City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Chambers, 23 Russell Blvd.