Every five years TCSD retains a firm to develop a Solid Waste 10-Year Financial Plan with a 5-Year Rate Study (Plan) for our solid waste operations. TCSD retained R3 Consulting Group to prepare the 10-Year Plan.  R3 prepared the previous 10-Year Plan in 2018.  Specifically, the implementation of the new 10-Year Financial Plan and adoption of proposed 5-Year solid waste service charges will enable TCSD to: 

• Adapt and respond to new State regulations and rapidly changing market conditions for recyclables and organics 
• Provide resources for legislative compliance into the future 
• Provide for operational sustainability of staffing and equipment 

• Maintain and enhance solid waste programs (e.g., continue with 2 debris days per year, add new mattress collection and household hazardous waste day)  
• Build and maintain reserves for vehicle (truck) replacement 
• Maintain operating reserves for cash flow purposes and unforeseen financial impacts (e.g., higher than average inflation) 

The previous 5-Year rate increases were substantial to address structural deficits in solid waste revenues that did not keep up with costs to make the collection enterprise financially sustainable. However, the good news is revenues and expenses are now stabilized and we have built operating and vehicle reserves to desired policy levels to withstand unforeseen financial impacts.   

While the 10-Year plan provides a projection as to the financial health of operations based on key assumptions, the first 5-years of the Plan (i.e., Five Year Rate Study) are the rates subject to the Proposition 218 process.  

On May 10th, the Board will be considering the following rate increase for solid waste services: 

A nominal 2% increase in rates per year for a total of a 10% increase in rates over the five-year period,  which is less than the average annual inflation over the past 5 years.  

If adopted in May, the new service charges would be reflected in the FY 2023-24 Solid Waste Budget. 

Solid waste collection is an important health and safety service provided to residents and businesses by TCSD crews. Solid waste collection is by its nature a labor-intensive business; for less than an average annual cable bill, TCSD’s crews collect refuse, recycling, and organics in three separate trips every day and every week of the year from each home and business in the district. Narrow roads and hilly terrain throughout the District’s territory have prompted TCSD to use smaller than standard collection trucks, which limits efficiency while maximizing safety. In addition, many residential service charges in larger jurisdictions may benefit via subsidy from larger solid waste revenues from businesses. However, due to TCSD’s residential character, residents pay their full share of collection costs.  

CLICK BELOW FOR THE COVER LETTER AND FORMAL NOTICE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING MAILED TO ALL PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE DISTRICT TO CONSIDER RATE INCREASES. 

CLICK BELOW FOR R3 RATE STUDY AND OTHER RELATED MATERIALS DISCUSSED AT THE JANUARY 25, 2023 BOARDS MEETING 

CLICK BELOW FOR PREVIOUS RATE STUDY MATERIALS PREPARED IN 2013 AND 2018