Attachment A
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
APPROVING SOLID WASTE COLLECTION RATES
COMMENCING EACH JULY 1 FROM 2026 THROUGH 2029
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Maria Utilities Department provides mandatory solid waste collection services to all residential and commercial customers; and
WHEREAS, the Utilities Department completed an update to its cost -of-service analysis to evaluate revenue needs and establish equitable, cost -based rates for solid waste collection services; and
WHEREAS, the analysis identified increasing operating, capital, regulatory, and processing costs, including inflationary pressures, vehicle replacement needs, organic s and recycling requirements, and compliance obligations under State laws such as Assembly Bill (AB) 341, AB 1826, and Senate Bill 1383; and
WHEREAS, the Utilities Department determined that updated solid waste collection rates are necessary to ensure con tinued service reliability, financial sustainability, and compliance with State mandates; and
WHEREAS, proposed rates were included in the Proposition 218 Notice mailed to all affected customers in accordance with Article XIII D of the California Constitution, which establishes procedural and substantive requirements for property-related fees; and
WHEREAS, the City held a Public Workshop and scheduled a Public Hearing to receive public input and accept written protests, and fewer than a majority of affected property owners submitted written protests; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the proposed rates do not exceed the proportional cost of prov iding solid waste collection services and that revenues derived from the rates will be used solely for that purpose; and
WHEREAS, the City has complied with the noticing, public hearing, and majority - protest provisions of Proposition 218 related to the proposed rates.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, State of California, as follows:
SECTION 1. As of July 1, 2026, July 1, 2027, July 1, 2028, and July 1, 2029, solid waste collection rates shall be updated as described in the Proposition 218 Notice of Public Hearing: Proposed Rate Adjustments to Solid Waste Collection Rates Commencing July 1, 2026 incorporated herein by reference and on file with the City Clerk’s Office.
Attachment A
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its passage. Within 15 days following its passage, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in accordance with State Law; or when deemed necessary due to the length or complexity of the Ordinance, cause a summary of the Ordinance to be prepared and published at least five days prior to the City Council meeting at which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted. If a summary is pu blished at least five days prior to the City Council meeting at which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted, then within 15 days after adoption of the Ordinance the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall publish a summary of the Ordinance with the names of those City Council Members voting for and against the Ordinance and shall post a certified copy of the full text of such adopted Ordinance along with the names of those City Council Members voting for and against the Ordinance.
SECTION 3. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
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Attachment A
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 5th day of May 2026 by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINED:
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
_______________________________
Department Director
_______________________________
City Manager