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Garbage rates going up 5%
Higher fees needed to pay for increased costs of service

by Jeb Bing

Garbage collection rates will go up 5% on Jan. 1 to cover higher costs facing the Pleasanton Garbage Service company in handling commercial and residential refuses.

Maria Lara, assistant to the Pleasanton City Manager, said the rate increase was approved because the garbage company has incurred increases in its operating costs in refuse collection and recycling operations and at its Busch Road Transfer Station operations. There's also been a 1% increase in the city's franchise fee.

The cost of residential 35-gallon refuse cart service will increase by approximately $1.45/month, resulting in a $30.59 per month fee. The 96-gallon refuse cart service will increase by $1.73/month, resulting in a $36.30 per month fee.

As part of the rate approval, the City Council asked City Manager Nelson Fialho to hold discussions with the garbage service concerning rate and operations issues pertaining to the current franchise agreement, including implementation of Alameda County's new mandatory commercial recycling law. Fialho's report is due back to the council within nine months.