LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council approved a solid waste collection fee increase for the city’s franchise hauler during its hourlong Tuesday evening meeting.

The council received no public comment on the proposed increase for Lakeport Disposal, which had requested the increase earlier this year.

The 2.4-percent increase is equal to 75 percent of the previous year’s consumer price index for the Bay Area, the scale on which the company’s rate increases are based in its contract with the city, according to Utilities Director Mark Brannigan’s report to the council.

Since January 2004 Lakeport Disposal has served as the city’s franchise hauler, offering garbage, green waste and recycling services. Solid waste collection in the city is mandatory.

The city receives a 10-percent franchise fee and 3 percent for billing, according to Brannigan's report. City staff said those fees go toward administration as well as mitigating wear and tear on city streets.

The new rates will see minor increases for city residents. A 20-gallon toter will increase from $13.34 to $13.66, 32-gallon toters will increase from $20.01 to $20.49, two 32-gallon toters will go from $40.02 to $40.98, with the 95-gallon toter increasing the most, from $60.02 to $61.46, according to Brannigan’s report.

Brannigan said the charges apply to the garbage collection; there are no additional charges for recycling and greenwaste collection.

Craig Butcher of Lakeport Disposal told the council during the discussion that the company was taking 90 tons of recycled goods out of the city per month.

Councilman Roy Parmentier asked Butcher when the trucks start to roll on garbage collection days. Butcher said 5 a.m., according to the requirements of the franchise contract.

Mayor Stacey Mattina said the city had received some complaints about early morning noise on collection days.

“We don't want to wake anybody up but we have to start somewhere,” Butcher said.

Councilman Bob Rumfelt said he felt the company was being as quiet as it could be, considering the work it was doing.

Parmentier said he’s received a lot of complaints on his street, noting that sometimes the bins are left in the middle of the roadway.

Despite those complaints, the council approved the collection fee increase, which takes effect Jan. 1.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Google+, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .