A $5 increase in cost for garbage, recycling and organic waste disposal could be in Woodland’s future depending on the outcome of a public hearing.

The hearing is scheduled during Tuesday’s City Council meeting that gets underway at 6 p.m. in council chambers at 300 First St.

According to information provided by the city, USA Waste of California, otherwise known as Waste Management, is proposing a 6.43% monthly residential rate increase. Residential customers with a 64-gallon trash service (the most common service volume) would see a roughly $5 increase in their bill, or approximately $2.60 each month, since billing occurs every two months.

All Woodland property owners and tenants are invited to attend the hearing, where the council will consider all materials and testimony as well as all written protests against the proposed rate increases.

At the close of the public hearing, the council may adopt new rates if written protests against the proposed increases are not presented by a majority of identified parcels upon which the proposed rates are to be charged.

If adopted, the rates would take effect 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.

If the adjustments are approved, a written notice will be mailed to all parties subject to future annual rate adjustments, no less than 30 days prior to the effective date of the adjustment.

People objecting to the proposed rate increases before the July 15 meeting must submit a written protest. Any property owner whose property will be subject to the imposition of the proposed solid waste and recycling rates and any tenant directly responsible for the payment of such rates may submit a written protest to the proposed changes.

Oral, telephoned and email protests will not be accepted. Written protests may be submitted by mail or in person to the City Clerk’s Office at 300 First Street, Woodland, 95695, or at the public hearing itself.

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 USA Waste of California, Inc., resulting in an annual rate adjustment that was applied on Jan. 1 for 2025.

A rate increase associated with the additional contractual requirements of the new agreement is scheduled to take effect on Sept. 1, 2025 and will run the course of Sept. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2026.

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 (state mandate), organic cart replacement (state mandate), increased customer outreach and education, and “At Your Door” service for household hazardous waste (added service).