TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: Jeff Provenzano
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: May 29, 2025
Approved Date
5/29/25
SUPPLEMENTAL
SUBJECT:
Public Hearing on Residential Garbage and Recycling Services Rates for Single-Family and Multi-Family Residential Solid Waste Services
REASON FOR SUPPLEMENTAL
This supplemental memorandum reports on the written protests received in response to public notices regarding proposed Residential Garbage and Recycling services rates, effective July 1, 2025.
ANALYSIS
Notices were mailed to 235,983 residential property owners advising them that a public hearing would be held on June 3, 2025, regarding City Council consideration of Residential Garbage and Recycling service rates proposed to take effect July 1, 2025.
In accordance with Proposition 218, customers were given at least 45 days to file written protests of the proposed rate increases.
As of Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the City Clerk’s Office has received 689 protests in response to the Residential Garbage and Recycling public notice, which represents less than one percent of all customers impacted by the rate changes. Protest letters may be submitted through the close of the public hearing, at which point the City Clerk will provide a count of all protests received during the protest period.
To enhance customer service and mirror steps being taken for water and sewer customers, the City issued responses to property owners submitting protests (Attachment). Inclusion of this notice herein serves as the City’s response to any written protests received at the time of the hearing.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 6/3/25
FILE:
ITEM:
25-588
6.2 HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
May 29, 2025
Subject: Public Hearing on Residential Garbage and Recycling Services Rates for Single-Family and Multi-Family Residential Solid Waste Services
/s/
JEFF PROVENZANO
Director, Environmental Services
For questions, please contact Valerie Osmond, Deputy Director, Environmental Services Department, at (408) 535-8557.
ATTACHMENT:
Response to Residential Garbage and Recycling Protests Received
ATTACHMENT
RESPONSE TO RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE AND RECYCLING PROTESTS RECEIVED
Dear San José Property Owner:
This message is to acknowledge your written protest to the City of San José’s proposed Residential Garbage and Recycling Service utility rate increase proposal. We understand that this proposed increase is an additional cost to you. Here is some additional information about the need for it.
As stated in the rate notice you received, the proposed rate increase is required for the City’s solid waste contractors to continue to provide garbage and recycling services at full cost recovery. The proposed rate changes will pay for cost-of-living adjustments, fuel, and other costs which enable City contractors to provide collection and processing of garbage, recycling, yard trimmings, and unlimited junk pickup services, among others. These solid waste services comply with local ordinances and state laws, protecting public health and safety.
San José makes every effort to reduce the need for rate adjustments and to keep costs low.
San José residents helped keep this year’s rate impacts to a minimum by recycling right and reducing recycling contamination.
We value your rate proposal protest concern on this important matter impacting you and other San José residents. For more program information and utility cost savings, please find:
• Environmental Services Department’s Proposed Operating Budget, which will be available online on or about May 1
• Frequently Asked Questions, which may address more of your questions about the rate increase proposal
• Recycling right helps keep the garbage service costs low. Need to know what’s recyclable? Visit SanJoseRecycles.org or the How to Recycle Right page.
Should you wish to voice your concerns directly with San José City Council, a public hearing is scheduled at San José City Hall on Tuesday, June 3 at 1:30pm. Discussion on utility rates will occur as soon as the matter can be heard after the start of the meeting.
If you have additional specific questions that have not been addressed, please email [email protected] or call the City of San José Environmental Services Department at (408) 535-8550.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
City of San José