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Conduct a noticed public hearing to consider adopting resolutions confirming Reports on Delinquent Garbage Accounts for mandatory garbage collection, disposal, and recycling services in the unincorporated areas of Fairfield, Suisun, Benicia, Vallejo, Vacaville, Dixon, Elmira, and Rio Vista; approving a $62 administrative charge for lien processing; directing the Clerk of the Board to file a certified copy of the resolution with the County Recorder; authorizing the County Auditor-Controller to impose the delinquent fees and administrative charges as special assessments on the FY2024/25 property tax roll; and authorizing the Department of General Services to record a Release of Lien when delinquent amounts are paid
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Published Notice Required? Yes _X_ No _ _
Public Hearing Required? Yes _X_ No __ _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of General Services recommends the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive a report on Delinquent Garbage Accounts;
2. Conduct a noticed public hearing to allow any public comments, objections or protests;
3. Make any revisions or corrections to the delinquent accounts as reported and as appropriate; and
4. Adopt the following Resolutions:
a. Resolution confirming Report on Delinquent Garbage Accounts for the unincorporated areas of Fairfield, Suisun, and Benicia (Attachment A), approving a $62 administration fee, and authorizing and directing staff in accordance with the resolution;
b. Resolution confirming Report on Delinquent Garbage Accounts for the unincorporated areas of Vallejo (Attachment B), approving a $62 administration fee, and authorizing and directing staff in accordance with the resolution;
c. Resolution confirming Report on Delinquent Garbage Accounts for the unincorporated areas of Vacaville, Dixon and Elmira (Attachment C), approving a $62 administration fee, and authorizing and directing staff in accordance with the resolution; and
d. Resolution confirming Report on Delinquent Garbage Accounts for the unincorporated area Rio Vista (Attachment D), approving a $62 administration fee, and authorizing and directing staff in accordance with the resolution.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with service agreements between the County and garbage collection companies, including Solano Garbage Company (Republic Services), Recology Vallejo, Recology Vacaville Solano, and Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery, the companies provide mandatory garbage collection, disposal, and recycling services for homeowners and customers in the unincorporated areas of the County surrounding the cities of Fairfield, Suisun, Benicia, Vallejo, Vacaville, Dixon, Elmira, and Rio Vista. Solano County Code (Section 23-72) allows the garbage collection companies to annually assign accounts that are delinquent for more than 60 days to the County for collection. On June 4, 2024, the Board of Supervisors approved a public hearing date of July 23, 2024 to consider adopting resolutions confirming Delinquent Garbage Accounts and for the collection of delinquent amounts for property liens.
A notice of public hearing was published in the Fairfield Daily Republic, the Vacaville Reporter, and the Vallejo Times Herald at a minimum of 10 days prior to the hearing date as required and a notice of the public hearing was also mailed to each delinquent account holder.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The collection of delinquent fees will be remitted respectively to Solano Garbage Company (Republic Services), Recology Vallejo, Recology Vacaville Solano and Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery while a $62 administration charge per account will be transferred to the County’s General Services Department for processing the delinquent fees, including the release of liens once delinquent amounts are paid by each account holder.
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Solano Garbage Company (Republic Services) provides collection services in the unincorporated areas of Fairfield, Suisun, and Benicia; Recology Vallejo provides collection services in the unincorporated areas of Vallejo, and Recology Vacaville Solano provides collection services in the unincorporated areas of Vacaville, Dixon, and Elmira. Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery provides collection services in the unincorporated area of Rio Vista. Solano Garbage Company (Republic Services), Recology Vallejo, Recology Vacaville Solano, and Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery sent delinquency notices to property owners for bills that were not paid within 30 days of the billing date at which time those accounts became delinquent. Solano County Code Section 23-72 requires that these notices be sent within 15 days after the date of the delinquency. Solano Garbage Company (Republic Services), Recology Vallejo, Recology Vacaville Solano, and Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery then submit to the County a current report of accounts that have gone unpaid for more than 60 days for assignment to the County. Solano Garbage Company (Republic Services), Recology Vallejo, Recology Vacaville Solano, and Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery send the affected property owners a final delinquency notice by certified mail stating they can appear and object or protest the delinquencies before the Board of Supervisors at the public hearing.
A public hearing to confirm Reports of Delinquent Garbage Accounts is required pursuant to County contractual obligations with the garbage collection companies, as well as California Government Code (Section 25831) and Solano County Code Section 23-72. The Board of Supervisors must provide an opportunity for comment, objections, or protests by the public and delinquent account holders and to confirm the Report of Delinquent Garbage Accounts Report attached to this report and included with each recommended resolution. The Board may also make any revisions or corrections as deemed appropriate.
Adoption of the recommended resolutions (Attachments A, B, C and D) confirm the Report of Delinquent Garbage Accounts for Vallejo, Vacaville, Dixon, Elmira, Rio Vista, Fairfield, Suisun, and Benicia. The resolutions also approve a $62 administrative charge for lien processing; direct the Clerk of the Board to file certified copies of the resolution with the County Recorder for the placement of liens against each property associated with the delinquent accounts; authorize the County Auditor-Controller to impose the delinquent fees and administrative charges as special assessments on the FY2024/25 property tax roll; and authorize the Department of General Services to record a Release of Lien when delinquent amounts are paid. The confirmed Reports of Delinquent Garbage Accounts will be submitted to the Auditor-Controller’s Office to impose the delinquent fees and administrative charges as special assessments on the FY2024/25 property tax roll.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt the resolutions confirming delinquent garbage service accounts. This alternative is not recommended given the County’s contractual obligations and Solano County Code Section 23-72. Additionally, requests to impose special assessments for FY2024/25 must be received by the County Auditor-Controller’s Office by August 12, 2024.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Solano Garbage Company (Republic Services), Recology Vallejo, Recology Vacaville Solano, and Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery provided Reports of Delinquent Garbage Accounts to the County. County Counsel reviewed the recommended resolutions.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION