NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED RATE INCREASES FOR SOLID WASTE SERVICES
A public hearing will be held Tuesday, July 22, 2008, by the Sunnyvale City Council regarding proposed changes to utility rates for City-provided solid waste services. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 456 W. Olive Avenue.
General Information Regarding Rate Increases
As part of the yearly process of reviewing the financial condition of Sunnyvale’s Solid Waste Management Utility, the City Council considers annual adjustments to the City’s solid waste utility rates. Sunnyvale utility rates are based entirely on the City’s costs of operating and maintaining its solid waste facilities and services. No tax revenues are used to cover the costs of these services, nor are any revenues from solid waste fees used to support other City programs or services not related to utilities.
In December 2006, the City Council approved a new residential solid waste rate structure that will more closely tie garbage charges to the volume of garbage collected. As part of this change, each residential account will receive a new garbage cart, and the old one will be removed and recycled. The new rate structure will become effective in October 2008 after residents have an opportunity to choose which size cart they want, and the new carts have been delivered.
In order to calculate the rates under the new structure, and as part of the regular process of reviewing utility rates, the City conducted a solid waste cost of service rate analysis. The City reviewed the costs of the solid waste system and allocated those costs to each of the various customer classes based on their proportional use of the system. The results of this analysis generated the proposed rates included in this notice and reflect the overall higher costs of providing solid waste services
Protest Process
If you wish to protest the proposed service rate adjustments, the City must receive your written protest prior to the close of the public hearing on July 22, 2008. You may deliver your protest at the public hearing, or mail or deliver written protests in advance to:
Attention: Utility Rate Protest
City of Sunnyvale, Department of Finance
650 W. Olive Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94086-7637
For your protest to be counted, please include one of the following: the address(es) or Assessor’s Parcel Number(s) of the property(ies) you own, or the utility account number(s) or address(es) for open utility accounts that are subject to the proposed rate adjustment(s). Protests are limited to one per parcel. If you have any questions about the protest process, call (408)730-7400.
Summary of Changes to Residential Rates
The current system provides two garbage rates for residential customers: Baseline (32-gallon, customer-supplied container) or Unlimited (64 or 96 gallon cart supplied by the city). The proposed rate structure provides three different cart sizes (35, 65, and 95 gallons) and ties rates to the size of the container. For occasional excess garbage, beginning in October 2008 residents may purchase Extra Garbage Tags at City Hall or at selected local grocery & convenience stores. Additional details will be presented with the roll out of the program this fall.
The current monthly rate for Single Family service is $23.12 for Baseline and $33.00 for Unlimited. The current monthly Mobile Home rate is $17.17 for Baseline and $21.91 for Unlimited. The following table lists the proposed new rates for each new container size and the change in cost per month from each of the current services. For example, if you are a single family resident and currently subscribe to unlimited service, and choose the 65–gallon cart, you will see a savings of $2.10 per month.
|
Container Size |
Proposed Rate |
Monthly change in cost from current Baseline Service |
Monthly change in cost from current Unlimited Service |
|
Single Family |
|
(Current Rate = $23.12) |
(Current Rate = $33.00) |
|
35 – Gallon |
$25.31 |
$2.19 |
-$7.69 |
|
65 – Gallon |
$30.90 |
$7.78 |
-$2.10 |
|
95 – Gallon |
$36.50 |
$13.38 |
$3.50 |
|
Mobile Home |
|
(Current Rate = $17.17) |
(Current Rate = $21.91) |
|
35 – Gallon |
$18.83 |
$1.66 |
-$3.08 |
|
65 – Gallon |
$24.42 |
$7.25 |
$2.51 |
|
95 – Gallon |
$30.02 |
$12.85 |
$8.11 |
In August 2008 residents will be asked, through a separate mailer, to choose either a 35, 65 or 95 gallon cart. If you currently subscribe to Baseline service, you may continue using your existing customer owned can for extra yard trimmings. Cart delivery is expected to begin in mid September and be completed in October.
Multi-Family and Commercial Rate Increases
While the underlying rate structure for the proposed FY 2008/09 multi-family household and commercial rates has not changed significantly, changes in individual proposed rates vary based on the cost of service rate analysis completed by the City. These changes are detailed in the attached rate schedule. Commercial and multi-family can customers will also be choosing and receiving carts from the City. Look for a separate mailer detailing how to make your cart selection.
Please see the attached Schedule of Proposed Monthly Sunnyvale Solid Waste Utility Rates for details. This notice contains the most common monthly solid waste rates charged by the City. Customers who are billed bi-monthly may simply double the rate to reflect their bi-monthly billing, or refer to the bi-monthly rate tables posted on the City’s Web site. For a complete listing of all potential rates, and comparisons with other local city’s rates, please visit our Web site (UtilityRates.inSunnyvale.com) or call (408) 730-7400, TDD (408) 730-7501. Additional details regarding rate adjustments will be available in the FY 2008/09 Solid Waste Utility Rate Report, available in the City Clerk’s Office and on the City’s Web site two weeks prior to the scheduled hearing. All rates will become effective upon adoption by the City Council except for rates for all cart customers which will become effective as of the day you receive your new cart.
Requesting Notices in Other Languages or Formats
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this information can be made available upon request in alternative formats. Requests may be made by calling the City of Sunnyvale Utility Billing Office at (408) 730-7400, TDD (708) 730-7501.