ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: June 25, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Resolutions TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Zachary Meyer, Public Works Director
DATE: June 5, 2025
SUBJECT: Fiscal Year 2025-26 refuse and recycling rates, collection of residential and commercial refuse and recycling charges and delinquent refuse charges
Resolutions establishing the Fiscal Year 2025-26 refuse and recycling rates and authorizing collection by the Kern County Auditor-Controller’s Office:
1. Resolution providing for the collection of residential and commercial refuse and recycling charges by the Kern County Auditor-Controller’s Office for FY 2025-26 (CPI Adjustments Only).
2. Resolution providing for the collection of delinquent refuse charges by the Kern County Auditor- Controller’s Office.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of resolutions
BACKGROUND:
Annual fees for residential refuse rates are billed on the Kern County property tax roll each fiscal year.
Also, new accounts added throughout the year are billed pro-rata by the City until the start of the next fiscal year. Some of these bills remain unpaid and become delinquent, and therefore get placed on the tax roll to be collected with the FY 25/26 charges.
The current rates are based on a rate study and Proposition 218 (“Prop 218”) process approved by the City Council in 2022. Specifically, on March 16, 2022, City Council approved proposed refuse and recycling rate increases over a five -year period and authorized City staff to mail the requisite Prop 218 notices to rate payers. At the June 1, 2022 City Council meeting, following a public hearing, Council adopted Resolution No. 091 -2022 that adopted increases to refuse and recycling rates for FY22/23 through FY 26/27, including increases effective each July 1 based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) , as allowed by Prop 218. Accordingly, current rates for FY 25/26 are increasing by CPI Only per the prior Prop 218 process and Council Resolution No. 091-2022.
In order for the County to continue collecting the updated annual rates effective July 1, the County requires annual resolutions from the City Council affirming the applicable rates and authorizing placement on the tax roll.
Subject 1: This resolution authorizes the collection of the updated FY 25/26 refuse and recycling charges by the Kern County Auditor-Controller’s Office on the property tax bill. This method is the most e fficient means of collecting the flat per -household fees, as it combines mailing and payment functions into one.
The applicable rates for single-family dwelling rates will increase from $286 per unit to $295, multiple family dwelling (up to four units) rates from $258 per unit to $267, and commercial rates by 3.3% percent.
These rate increases reflect CPI adjustments ONLY for the new fiscal year, as set forth and approved by City Council as part of its 5-year Prop 218 process referenced above. Bakersfield’s rates will remain among the lowest of comparable cities.
Subject 2: This resolution transfers the task of collecting delinquent pro-rata charges to the Kern County Auditor-Controller’s Office as a one-time billing on the tax roll, where delinquent fees are remitted to the City as taxes are paid.
Out of approximately $221,857.76 billed for prorated refuse service to new properties throughout the year, $14,234.00 remains delinquent from the prior year. City staff proposes to place these delinquent charges on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 property tax roll.
FISCAL IMPACT:
These charges are for services already rendered at fee levels previously set by City Council; therefore, there is no impact on the General Fund. Applicable rates do not exceed the estimated costs for service.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Economic Opportunity for All
Reliable Infrastructure
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution – Collection of FY 25/26 Refuse Rates
a. Exhibit A – Refuse Rate Sheet
b. Exhibit B – Rate Code Schedule
2. Resolution – Delinquent Collecting
a. Exhibit A – Delinquent Refuse Charges