For Immediate Release
April 6, 2006
Contact:  Douglas Legg
(415) 554-4806

                                                    ***PRESS RELEASE***

San Francisco Public Works Director Recommends
Refuse Rate Increase After Series of Hearings

San Francisco, Ca – The Department of Public Works (DPW) announced today that it is recommending increases in residential garbage rates totaling 26.98 percent over the next five years. The first increase, which will become effective July 1, 2006, will be 15.69 percent with additional annual increases through 2011.

If adopted, the maximum base rate for once-a-week residential collection of a single 32-gallon black can will be $22.07 per month starting July 1, 2006, which is $2.99 more than the current rate. There will continue to be no charge for blue recycling and green yard and food waste bins.

A series of Public Works Director’s Hearings and community workshops were held between November 2005 and March 2006 to obtain public input and to review Sunset Scavenger and Golden Gate Recycling and Disposal companies’ refuse rate application, which had requested a 36 percent increase over the five-year period.  Based on the hearings and the Director’s Report, DPW has recommended the 26.98 percent residential refuse rate increase.

Anyone wishing to appeal the Department’s recommendation may file an appeal to the San Francisco Rate Board, made up of the City Administrator, the Controller and the General Manager and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.  Appeals must be filed with the City Administrator no later than 5:00 PM on April 21, 2006.  If appealed, the Rate Board will meet in May 2006 with a final decision on the rate being made by May 21, 2006.

Under the 1932 Refuse Collection and Disposal Initiative Ordinance, the City approves and sets residential garbage rates. In conjunction with this rate application, a San Francisco Refuse Ratepayer Advocate was established to facilitate public participation in the rate setting process and to ensure that San Francisco ratepayers were fairly represented in the process. The Ratepayer Advocate engaged community groups and hosted a website to keep the public informed of the process (www.sfrefuseratepayeradvocate.com), as well as submitting public testimony.

The DPW Staff Report and Director’s Report, presenting an analysis, evaluation and recommendation of the companies’ requested increase, can be found at www.sfdpw.org.

As part of the rate increase application, Sunset Scavenger and Golden Gate Recycling and Disposal Company proposed more aggressive recycling programs to help the City reach its goal of diverting 75 percent of the garbage generated by city businesses, residents and visitors from the landfill by 2010. The companies are proposing assisting residents with Universal Waste disposal and an extended bulky item collection for tenants.

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