With only a relative few customers objecting, Woodland’s City Council authorized a rate increase for garbage, recycling and organic waste disposal.

The increase would basically amount to $2.60 a month, or just over $5 on each bill — which goes out every two months.

There were 11 people who spoke out at Tuesday’s public hearing held by the council about the increase sought by Waste Management, saying that notification was insufficient, the need for a public vote, lack of competitive bidding and overall affordability.

One person told the council it was “death by a thousand cuts” and while he was “bleeding money … I’m not made of it.”

Still another speaker urged the council to use a “course incentive” approach, where people could take a class on how to dispose of their trash, recyclables and yard waste so they could then get a rate reduction.

Councilmembers, however, noted there were around 105 protest votes among nearly 16,000 customers, as well as the fact that costs in other communities were far higher, meaning there were an insufficient number of people responding.Councilman Tom Stallard, who noted he is charged as a resident as well as a business owner, said the city was getting a lot for the money, citing regular street sweeping and trash pickup. He specifically pointed to other cities in the state right now where trash collectors are on strike and couldn’t recall when, or if ever, a strike had been called in Woodland due to fees.

Mayor Richard Lansburgh sympathized with speakers, saying, “I want to be down there with you” in protesting the increase. He told the story about getting upset with AT&T about the cost of his cellphone, which forced him to change providers.

He had a choice, he said, and went with a cheaper plan. But in this case, the choices were minimal and the other providers would have charged more money.

He also noted the city had to act in accordance with laws passed by the state Legislature, which mandated more recycling and other requirements. “If you’re upset then call your state lawmakers,” he added.

Finally, Lansburgh said residents in the city of Davis were paying an average of $100 a month compared to $36 “every other month” in Woodland for those concerned about cost.

However, Lansburgh and other councilmembers, agreed that notification could have been better after some residents said the required letters looked more like “junk mail” than an official correspondence from the city.

According to information provided by the city, USA Waste of California, otherwise known as Waste Management, is proposing the 6.43% monthly residential rate increase with city staff noting the increase is already scheduled to take effect.

The public hearing, staff said, was being done to maintain compliance with state laws.

As approved residential customers with a 64-gallon trash service (the most common service volume) will see the increase on Sept. 1, and may also be “adjusted” annually over the next five years.

The next increase would then take place on Jan. 1, 2027, and each Jan. 1 thereafter for a five-year period without public hearings.

Now that the increase has been approved, written notice will be mailed to all customers, providing them with information on upcoming payments and any future price increases.

The original Agreement for Solid Waste, Recyclables, Green Waste, and Street Sweeping Services was amended on Dec.18, 2013, and again on March 28, 2016. The current Agreement is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2026.

This past April 15, the council approved a new Solid Waste Franchise Agreement with Waste Management, resulting in an annual rate adjustment that was applied on Jan. 1 for 2025.

The proposed 6.43% rate increase accounts for a 2026 Consumer Price Index increase, as well as incremental rate increases based on new programs and service alterations such as compost procurement and organic cart replacement, which are both mandated by the state, increased customer outreach and education, and “At Your Door” service for household hazardous waste, which will cost $5 each time it’s used.