COLUSA, CA (MPG) – The Colusa City Council postponed consideration of a proposed garbage collection rate increase Oct. 6, directing city staff to explore negotiations with Recology before approving higher fees for residents and businesses.
Recology Butte Colusa Counties requested an average 4.57% increase for residential customers and 4.56% for commercial customers, effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Under the proposal, monthly residential rates would increase by $2.11 for 32-gallon service, $2.21 for 64-gallon service and $2.33 for 96-gallon service. The new monthly rates would range from $48.28 to $53.11.
Mayor Denise Conrado pulled the item from the council’s consent agenda, questioning why the company continues to request annual increases.
“They think that an increase is warranted every year?” Conrado questioned.
Recology attributed the proposed adjustment to a 16.8% increase in fuel costs, a 4.45% increase in disposal costs and a 3.77% increase in operating costs.
Councilmembers questioned whether customers would see lower rates if fuel prices declined.
“They said fuel as one of the primary reasons on [the increase], so if the price of fuel goes down – does that mean they are going to lower the rates?” Councilmember Daniel Vaca questioned.
He suggested using a temporary fuel surcharge rather than permanently increasing collection rates.
“It’s what a lot of companies do, being in the ag business, a lot of my vendors do a surcharge for fuel while the price of fuel is up,” Vaca said. “But this is a permanent charge.”
City Manager Jesse Cain explained that the city’s franchise agreement permits Recology to request adjustments when the company provides documentation supporting the increase.
“I could reach out to them and see if they are willing to negotiate,” Cain said, noting that previous discussions about rejecting increases raised concerns about breaching the contract.
Councilmembers also questioned the agreement’s expiration date and whether the city could seek competing bids.
However, councilmembers ultimately favored delaying approval to give Cain an opportunity to negotiate.
“Most of their rationale is fuel cost,” said Councilmember Ryan Codorinz. “So maybe there’s an opportunity for them to go part way this year and reassess next year.”
Rather than approve the increase, the council directed Cain to verify the contract terms and contact Recology about possible alternatives.
The proposed increase would not directly affect the city’s general fund but would increase collection costs for residential and commercial customers.