Port Hueneme City Council approves $350,000 appropriation to cover rising solid-waste disposal costs

The Port Hueneme City Council unanimously approved a $350,000 appropriation from the solid waste operations fund to cover increased tipping fees, the council said at a special meeting that began at 5:32 p.m.

Public Works staff identified the immediate driver as recent transfer-station rate increases by the City of Oxnard and the timing of invoices, which left the city with unanticipated costs for May and June. "What you have before you is an approval of an appropriation of $350,000 to the solid waste fund for our tipping fees," the public works presenter said during the discussion.

Why it matters: staff said the city had flagged rate pressure about a year ago and is conducting a utility rate study with at least one public workshop this summer and the citys Proposition 218 process to consider any rate changes. The request to use reserves was presented as a temporary measure to cover the current fiscal year while the rate study and public outreach proceed.

Staff provided details on cost drivers: gross tons of collected material rose by about 1,500 tons over two fiscal years, and the organics collection program has had significant growth. "Organics by far and away is the most expensive charge we get. It's like $189 per ton," the presenter said, adding that organics tonnage has increased roughly fourfold since the programs introduction. Staff also said Oxnard notified the city of an additional rate increase of about 4.5%, effective July 1.

Council members asked about alternatives to Oxnard and the possibility of using other transfer stations such as Gold Coast. Staff said Gold Coast has some lower and some higher rates and offers different services; staff also cautioned that Gold Coast has a smaller tipping floor that can become congested. The presenter noted the city's contract with Oxnard includes an evergreen two-year term that rolls over, and that changing providers could require serving notice that would affect timing (staff described scenarios in which the effective change could be up to two years depending on when a termination letter is served).

Staff also noted program differences that affect cost comparisons: Oxnard currently includes a household hazardous waste program in the service package, which is built into the rate so residents can drop hazardous waste without a separate fee; Gold Coast may not offer the same mix of services.

A council member asked whether the state offered offsetting funds for mandated programs; staff said no such state funding was available for these disposal costs. Council members and staff agreed a detailed tonnage-and-cost comparison would be needed to evaluate any provider change.

The council moved and seconded the appropriation; the motion passed unanimously. The staff presentation said the appropriation will come from solid waste reserves to cover disposal charges through the end of the fiscal year while the rate study proceeds.

The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m. The next regular meeting was announced for Monday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m.