Belmont Garbage Rates May Increase 22 Percent

With the election over, it's back to work for Belmont's elected officials. An item on tonight’s Belmont City Council agenda is likely to generate much public interest and input.

The council will discuss options for reducing the 22 percent proposed rate increase requested by Recology, the city’s provider of solid waste, green waste, and recycling services. The rate increase would become effective in 2012.

Five service reduction opportunities and three financial mechanisms have been targeted by the council that would reduce, at least somewhat, the 22.26 percent increase currently being proposed. The increase is calculated in accordance with the city’s contract with Recology.

For a summary and background on the Recology rate increase, see the city's staff report, Discussion and Direction Regarding Potential Reductions to Recology's 2012 Solid Waste Rates.

Belmont City Council typically meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. However, due to this week’s election, the meeting was moved to Wednesday. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers in Belmont City Hall, One Twin Pines Ln.