Solid Waste utility rates were last adjusted by City Council in 2023. Since the end of the last approved rate adjustment calendar, costs of providing solid waste services have exceeded revenue and continue to put significant pressure on the reserve for the Solid Waste utility fund. The City has initiated a Cost of Service Study and developed rate recommendations. At their September 16, 2025 meeting, City Council voted to initiate the Proposition 218 process and take necessary steps, including the preparation of Notices for City customers to be mailed, noticing a public hearing to consider implementation of rate adjustments.

Prop 218 Notice for Single-Family Customers (PDF)
Prop 218 Notice for Commercial and Multi-Family Customers (PDF)

Please see the public meetings and reports linked below for details.

• September 16, 2025 City Council Meeting
  • 04 Solid Waste Rate Study Initiate Prop 218
  • 04 Solid Waste Rate Study Presentation
• September 3, 2025 Fiscal Commission Meeting
  • 06B Solid Waste Response to Questions Report
  • 06B ATT A Approved Enterprise Fund Reserve Policy
  • 06B ATT B Solid Waste Utility Fund Summary 2022 2025
  • 06B ATT C Exhibit C 10.01.23 Rates (Rate Review)
• August 6, 2025 Fiscal Commission Meeting
  • 05A Solid Waste Financial Detail Report

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Below, please find answers to questions that have been received regarding solid waste rates and service levels:

Is it normal for municipalities to utilize a private company for waste hauling?

Yes. In fact, agencies in California have a wide variety of ways to provide waste hauling services for residents. Some agencies fully municipalize solid waste services (these are generally very large municipalities), some have a hybrid approach with an exclusive franchise hauler and some have no internal services at all, with all billing, hauling etc. being handled by the hauler via a contract (these are generally very small municipalities). For mid-size cities like Davis, Woodland or West Sacramento, having a hybrid model also helps provide some cost savings in terms of scale, since waste hauling companies have access to specialized equipment and labor that might be required versus smaller companies with less-ready access.

What solid waste services are required by law and what services are nice to have?

While the current discussion is not about service levels, the State does require all jurisdictions to provide certain solid waste services to all customers, namely weekly collection of trash and organic waste and recycling service (there is no mandated frequency for recycling). As part of the City’s waste diversion plans (also mandated by the State), the City needs to offer some kind of bulky waste program for residents, a hazardous waste disposal option for residents and various other waste diversion programs. Annual outreach to all customers on waste diversion and other solid waste issues is required, but how that outreach is achieved is up to each jurisdiction.

One of the more complicated and expensive programs to operate is the on-street yard material collection service. While this allows customers a convenient way to dispose of excess yard debris, this is a “nice to have” program and is not required by law. In fact, Davis is one of only 5 communities in California to offer this program to customers.

Why is the largest adjustment first? Could that be evened out over the other years?

 When expenditures outpace revenue, the only way to correct it is for a higher first-year adjustment to effectively jump-start the re-balance and lessen pressure on the operating reserve.

What accommodations are being made for people who just can't afford a service charge increase?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to offer discounted rates to residents without making up the subsidy from some other source, and State law (Prop 218) prohibits any property owner from being charged more than their proportional fair share the cost of service. In other words, the City cannot subsidize some of its customers by overcharging other customers.

Can a customer cancel trash service?

No, by State law, all residential, multi-family, and commercial properties are required to recycle organic waste that is generated on-site. Furthermore, trash, organics and recycling service are mandatory for all residential and commercial properties within the City, per Municipal Code § 32.01.020 (Mandatory service).

Are renters included in the noticing and protest process for these rates?

When the renter is designated as a tenant of record with the City, they can protest the rate adjustment on behalf of the owner, but no more than one protest is permitted per parcel. Otherwise, by State law a valid protest must be submitted by the property owner only.

City Council

•  November 15, 2022
  • 04D Solid Waste Fund Update and Rate Adjustment
• November 16, 2021
  • 03C Solid Waste Fund Update and Rate Recommendation
•  December 15, 2020
  • 03A Solid Waste Annual Fund Review/Rate Adjustment Recommendation
• May 5, 2020
  • 04 Solid Waste Fund Update and Rate Recommendation
  • 04 Solid Waste Fund Update and Rate Recommendation Presentation

Utilities Commission 

• November 18, 2020 - Solid Waste Fund Update/Rate Recommendation
  • Item 6B - Solid Waste Annual Fund Review and Rate Recommendation
  • Item 6B - Solid Waste Annual Fund Review ATT 1 (City Council meeting item 5/5/20)
  • Item 6B - Solid Waste Annual Fund Review ATT 2 (Fund update detail)
  • PowerPoint Presentation
• April 22, 2020 Special Meeting -Solid Waste Fund Update/Rate Recommendations
  • Item 4A - Solid Waste Fund Update and Recommendation
  • Item 4A - Solid Waste Fund Update - ATT1 Fund Update Detail Worksheets
  • Item 4A - Solid Waste Fund Update - ATT2 04 CC Solid Waste Rate