Residents in the unincorporated areas of Colusa County will see a 7.53 percent increase in the cost of garbage service next month.
Recology requested the Colusa County Board of Supervisors approve the rate increase effective July 1 based on the changes to the 2021 Consumer Price Index and other expenses that fall under the terms of Recology’s agreement with the county.
Over the 12 months from January 2021 to January 2022, the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 7.5 percent. This is the largest 12-month increase since the 12-month period ending February 1982.
Doug Speicher, general manager Butte-Colusa Recology noted in the request that the adjusted rate takes in three components.
“The base rate increased 9.04 percent, the fuel component increased 36.190 percent, and the disposal component increased 4.92 percent, resulting in a 7.530 percent increase for collection services,” Speicher said.
Senior citizen customers with 32 gallon containers will see rates increase from $15.69 per month to $16.87, or $19.88 for a 32 gallon cart, up from $18.49. The cost to seniors for 64 gallon carts will increase from $32.83 to $35.30.
Regular customers will see 32 gallon containers increase from $16.86 to $18.13 or $21.17 for carts. Rates for 96 gallon carts will increase from $35.21 to $37.86.
Commercial customers will see a rate increase from $37.05 to $39.87 for (one) 96 gallon receptacle; $142.29 for 2 cubic yard; $219.39 for 3 cubic yard; $284.55 for 4 cubic yard; $355.68 for 5 cubic yard; and $426.84 for 6 cubic yard.
Additionally, the rate adjusted for the Maxwell Transfer Station resulted in a $4.90 per ton increase ($3.26 over the base rate and $1.65 from the for the disposal component.
The rate to dispose at the Maxwell station will increase from $99.52 to $104.42 on July 1.
The U.S. Consumer Price Increase for 2020 was 1.4 percent;
Between 1983 and 2022, garbage and trash collection experienced an average inflation rate of 4.42 percent per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
From April 2021 to April 2022, the CPI increased 8.6 percent, the highest on record, which indicates significant inflation, the Labor Department reported. ■