10 Draft Integrated Waste Management Plan - City Council - City of ...

2012 Davis Integrated Waste Management Plan
Changes to the DWR fleet from diesel to CNG would help stabilize the transportation costs. YCCL is looking
to expand their operations to become a resource recovery park by the year 2014. The City will pursue a multiyear
solid waste rate plan once more information is known about the City’s preferred long-term composting
solution.
8.3.1 One and Five Year Rate Recommendations
Typically, the City issues single-year rate increase notices. However, the City may consider at a 5-year rate
increase for solid waste in 2013. There are several beneficial reasons for the City to consider multi-year rate
increases at this time:
Adopting a multi-year rate plan would position the City to secure the best available financing and grant
funding opportunities to fund large capital improvement projects.
Identifying a reliable revenue plan would benefit the City by cost-effectively planning and implementing
its other capital improvement projects related to repair and replacement of the current utility
infrastructure.
Provide customer with a certainty of maximum utility rates over the next five years.
8.3.2 Monthly Utility Billing
There has been a proposal that the City switch from billing customers every other month for water, sanitary
sewer, and solid waste services to billing customers every month. This would increase postage and Finance
Department costs, but would supply customers with a regular monthly City Services bill, such as they receive
for private utilities and other bills.
8.3.3 Proposition 218 Notice Schedule
Proposition 218 (Prop 218) was approved by State voters in 1996 and requires that the City give notification to
all property owners of rate increases on most utilities. This notification takes the form of a mailing that includes
the proposed rate, reasons for the rate increase, information on the public hearing, and instructions for those
who wish to protest the rate increase. If the majority of property owners protest the rate increase, then the rate
increase could not be implemented.
DRAFT
The City typically has a public hearing for rate increases in September. At that time, the Council opens the
public hearing and considers any public testimony protesting the proposed rate increases. The Council considers
taking an action to adopt the actual rates two weeks later. Per Prop 218 process, notices must be mailed at least
60 days before the hearing. Rates must be approved by City Council 45 days prior to their effective date.
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