CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: MAY 27, 2026 PUBLIC HEARING
SUBJECT: DELINQUENT WASTE DISPOSAL CHARGES
FROM: Scott C. Stiles, City Manager
BY: Sustainability
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Palm Springs Municipal Code, all residential properties must have trash collection services and pay a mandatory waste disposal fee, unless granted an exemption from the City. Annually, the City receives a list from its franchised waste hauler, Palm Springs Disposal Services, of all properties that have not paid their waste disposal fee. In order to collect the unpaid charges, Palm Springs Disposal Services, pursuant to their franchise agreement with the City, has requested that these properties be placed on the County Property Tax Rolls for collection. The waste hauler has made all reasonable efforts to diligently pursue and collect all fees and charges due to them. However, a number of accounts still remain unpaid, as indicated in the list on file in the City Clerk’s Office. This action is consistent with past practice and the applicable legal requirements.
RECOMMENDATION:
1) Open the public hearing and receive public testimony. 2) Adopt Resolution entitled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, DETERMINING CERTAIN WASTE
DISPOSAL ACCOUNTS TO BE DELINQUENT AND DIRECTING THE
PLACEMENT OF THESE ACCOUNTS ON THE COUNTY PROPERTY TAX
ROLLS FOR COLLECTION."
BACKGROUND:
The City requires all residential properties to have trash collection services and to pay a mandatory waste disposal service fee, unless granted an exemption as provided under Palm Springs Municipal Code Section 6.04.200(d). The collection of trash from all inhabited properties is essential to maintaining the health and safety of the community at large.
City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2026 -- Page 2
Delinquent Waste Disposal Charges
State law authorizes cities to collect trash bills (or, if they wish, only delinquent trash bills) on the tax rolls (Sections 38790.1 and 25831 of the California Government Code). The justification for this is that the provision of trash service does, in the State Legislature’s view, provide value to the real property – specifically, it prevents the property from becoming a nuisance.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Each year, Palm Springs Disposal Services provides a list of all delinquent accounts to the City for placement on the property tax rolls. Collection of delinquent solid waste charges through the tax rolls is authorized under Palm Springs Municipal Code Section
6.04.215 and Sections 38790.1 and 25831 of the California Government Code. This year, a total of 778 customers were identified with delinquent accounts, representing approximately $478,417.04 in lost revenues to the waste disposal company. A list of all delinquent accounts is available to the public by calling the City Clerk’s Office at (760) 323-8204.
Notification of this hearing was mailed to each property owner on the delinquent list in advance of the 14-day notification deadline. Since the mailing of these notices, Palm Springs Disposal Services has received payment from numerous property owners, reducing the need to lien all properties on the list. City of Palm Springs staff has also received calls from property owners and has assisted them in contacting Palm Springs Disposal Service to make payments. Delinquent account holders may contact Palm Springs Disposal Service until June 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM to pay the balance due by credit card, check or cash.
A final list, with any payments, credits and other adjustments received after the public hearing, will be submitted to the County Auditor-Controller’s Office on June 30, 2026. Any account still delinquent after this date will be placed on the County property tax rolls for collection. All amounts collected by the County will be remitted to the City. Palm Springs Disposal Services has agreed to pay the City 10% of the total amount collected as reimbursement of its cost to place these accounts on the tax rolls.
The proposed hearing is consistent with past practice and applicable legal requirements.
Action to collect debts through the tax roll process is a cost effective and efficient method of debt collection. Moreover, if Palm Springs Disposal Services is unable to collect from these delinquent accounts, the service fees for all other customers may have to be increased to cover the bad debt.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
Section 15061 (b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) Guidelines exempts activities that are covered under the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential to cause significant effects on the environment. Where it City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2026 -- Page 3
Delinquent Waste Disposal Charges
can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the activity in question may have a significant effect upon the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING:
This resolution aligns with the City Council’s sustainability priorities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Because the City receives franchise, administrative, recycling and diversion facility fees from Palm Springs Disposal Services, collection from all delinquent accounts should provide additional revenues to the City. In addition, Palm Springs Disposal Services has agreed to pay the City 10% of the total amount collected as reimbursement of its expenses for placing these delinquent accounts on the tax roll.
REVIEWED BY:
Department Director: Jasmine Fields
Assistant City Manager: Flinn Fagg
City Manager: Scott Stiles
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution
B. Notice of Public Hearing
C. Affidavit and Declaration from Palm Springs Disposal Services D. List of Delinquent Waste Charges and Letters Mailed