San Bruno trash rates to increase

Though no final decision was made during the study session, officials favored establishing the lower rate which was recommended by a city consultant hired to analyze the Recology proposal.

For his part, Councilman Marty Medina celebrated the effort by officials to minimize the rates faced by residents.

“I think we are doing a good service for the public and we are showing them we are trying to minimize costs,” he said.

Under the reduced monthly rate selected by councilmembers, residents with a 20-gallon bins will pay $24.37; those with 32-gallon bins will pay $31.42; those with 64-gallon bins will pay $62.85; and those with 96-gallon bins will pay $94.27.

The proposed 20-gallon bin hike is about $1 more than the existing rate, but nearly 20 cents less than the rate initially sought by Recology; the proposed 32-gallon bin hike is about $1.30 more than the existing rate, but nearly 30 cents less than the rate sought by Recology; the proposed 64-gallon bin rate is about $2.60 more than the existing rate, but about 50 cents less than the rate sought by Recology; and the 96-gallon bin rate is $4 more than the current rate, but about 90 cents less than the rate sought by Recology.

Under the decision at the most recent meeting, councilmembers will hold a public hearing to approve the rates in May and, assuming all goes according to plan, the new rates will become effective in June.

The reductions were identified by R3 Consulting Group, which was hired by the city to analyze the initial rate hike sought by Recology. Following an investigation of the garbage service’s offer, consultants found potential reductions related to organics disposal and processing; depreciation adjustments for assets not exclusively used by the city; revenue calculations and franchise fees, according to a city report.

While the city paid the consultant $30,000 for the analysis, the rate reduction identified amounted to an estimated $175,883 in savings for the city, amounting to an overall savings for ratepayers worth about $145,000.

Bringing on board the consultant to analyze the garbage contract was an unprecedented move for the city, said Mayor Rico Medina, who lauded the decision as a means of saving money.

“I think anyone wants to see an opportunity to save. So I’m glad we took an opportunity that we have never done before in the city,” said Medina.

Councilman Marty Medina shared a similar sentiment.

“It was a very worthwhile investment,” he said.

To assure the city is able to continue to keep costs low, Rico Medina said officials will promote residents generating as little refuse as possible, which in turn will limit the collection charges. Furthermore, an education campaign will be launched asserting the importance of assuring trash is not mixed with recycling, which can result in additional charges.

Collectively, the mayor said the contribution from residents alongside the reduced rates will go far to assure San Bruno’s garbage bill is more affordable.

“This is the right path but now the community needs to take the second path which is to continue to do the right thing to make sure we minimize expenses overall,” Rico Medina said.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

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