Belmont’s waste disposal rates are slightly increasing each month for most residents in 2025, though it is the lowest percentage increase in almost eight years.
Many cities throughout the county are also increasing their rates based on agreements with the waste collection and disposal firm Recology. According to a staff report, however, the franchise agreement between Belmont and Recology is slightly unique in that it is “based on a maximum rate formula that limits what Recology may charge and is not subject to a revenue reconciliation process at the end of each rate year.”
While the rate is increasing, the 2% hike is the smallest percentage increase since around 2017.
“Overall that 2% increase is on the lower side than what we've seen historically,” said Shawn Koorn, associate vice president of HDR Engineering, one of the city’s consultants. “Last year, as an example, there was a larger increase in 2024, which was 11%, based on the increase in disposal costs. That is a key driver in the overall rate setting process, given the changes that are necessary as part of the disposal program.”
Residential carts range from 20 to 96 gallons in size, though about 90% of customers have the 20- and 32-gallon carts. The residential rates are increasing from $40.21 per month to $41.01 for 20-gallon carts and from $47.97 to $48.95 for 32-gallon carts. Commercial rates are also increasing about 2%.
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The rate increase is based on two main components, the base contractor amount and the pass-through cost. The former is largely based on the Consumer Price Index adjustment for the different costs, ending up around 3.6% this year.
“Recology provides us with the maximum rates for regularly scheduled and additional services. HDR and city staff review those calculations to make sure they reflect the overall franchise agreement calculation approach and that those rates do not exceed the calculated maximum as laid out in the franchise agreement,” Koorn said. “We do not audit the information from Recology. That is done separately through an independent audit of Recology.”
The rate hike is subject to Proposition 218, which necessitates a mailed notice for the public hearing at least 45 days prior. If a majority of recipients submit written protests against the increase, the rate hikes will not be implemented. There were only three objections to increases, and all present councilmembers voted in favor of the rate changes.
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