Proposed update to solid waste rates for fiscal years 2027-2031

Updated Public Hearing June 9, 2026

City Council sets rates for the solid waste collection services provided by Recology San Mateo County. The City has initiated a rate study that will propose solid waste rates effective July 1, 2026, with annual adjustments effective on or after each July 1 through July 1, 2030. Solid waste rates are considered property-related fees and are subject to the Proposition 218 process, which requires notification to property owners and customers of any proposed rate increases as directed by City Council. Per Proposition 218 requirements, notices must include information on the proposed fees, date of the public hearing and details on how property owners and customers can submit a written protest. 

The City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed rate increases on May 12. However, staff will recommend that City Council receive and consider comments as part of the public record but take no final action on the proposed rates. Staff will recommend that the public hearing be continued to June 9 and recommend that City Council take action on the proposed rates. The reason for continuance from May 12 to June 9 is due to errors with the mailing addresses used for the public hearing notice.

City Council meeting
Proposed rates documents
How to protest

Proposition 218 allows the owner of record or customer of a parcel that receives solid waste service to submit a written protest at or before the close of the Public Hearing June 9, 2026.

If the person signing the protest is not listed as the owner on the last equalized assessment roll for San Mateo County, the protest must be accompanied by written evidence that the signer owns the property. In rental situations, if a customer is the Recology account holder for solid waste service, the customer also has the right to submit a written protest for the property. Only one protest per parcel will be counted. If the City receives valid written protests on behalf of a majority of the parcels that receive solid waste service, the increased solid waste rates will not be adopted.

All written protests must:

  • Be in writing with the printed name and an original signature from the property owner of record or customer directly liable for the payment of the fee/account holder. (Spoken, telephonic or emailed protests will not be counted as a “written protest.”) 
  • Identify the parcel for which the protest is filed, by street address or Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN).
  • State that the signer opposes the proposed water rates.
  • A protest must be mailed or hand delivered in paper form. Email, fax, telephone and oral protests of any kind will not be counted. Mailed protests received after the close of the public hearing will not be counted, even if they were postmarked earlier.

A protest may be:

  1. Mailed to the City of Menlo Park. The protest must be received (not postmarked) by the date and time of the public hearing.
    Attn: City Clerk - Solid Waste Rate Protest
     701 Laurel St.
    Menlo Park, CA 94025

    OR

  2. Delivered to the same address during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and every other Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    OR

  3. Delivered to the City Clerk at the Menlo Park City Council Chambers located at 751 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA before the close of the public hearing.

Contact us

publicworks@menlopark.gov
650-330-6740

 

 

 

 

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