San Francisco residents to see a 24 hike in trash fees

San Francisco's city board approved a 24% increase in trash collection rates, effective Oct. 1, which raises the monthly fee for basic service from $47 to approximately $53. This decision comes after months of negotiations with Recology, the private company monopolizing the city's trash collection, which has faced significant opposition from residents and community groups. Board Chair Carmen Chu highlighted that the increase is necessary due to Recology's lower-than-expected revenue and rising operational costs, attributing part of the issue to overestimated population growth. Former Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin expressed concerns on behalf of ratepayers, stating the financial burden of the hike is particularly challenging for small property owners.

The board, established after a corruption scandal involving inflated rate increases, aims to ensure a transparent rate-setting process. The refuse-rate administrator mentioned minor adjustments could slightly change the final dollar figure. The city board's decision underscores the ongoing challenges in managing public services amid rising costs. The final rate details will be available on the Office of the Refuse Rates Administrator's website by Thursday.