LA Proposes 54% Trash Fee Hike, May Impact Inglewood Waste Management

Los Angeles City Controller Kenneth Mejia has taken to social media to explain a proposed trash fee increase that could affect LA residents and potentially influence future waste management policies in neighboring communities, including Inglewood.

The Los Angeles City Council is considering a plan to increase trash collection fees by 54%, the first rate adjustment in 17 years, as part of attempts to close a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall. If approved, this would be the first major change to the city’s solid waste fees in nearly two decades and could establish a precedent for how surrounding municipalities address their own waste management funding challenges.

Under the proposal, the monthly fee for single-family homes and duplex buildings would rise from $36.32 to $55.94, a 54% increase. The rate for apartments with three to four units would see an even more significant jump, going from $24.33 per month to $55.94, representing a 130% increase.

For LA residents, this means their bi-monthly bill from the Department of Water and Power could increase to $111.90 if the rate adjustment moves forward. City officials aim to begin the fee increase on January 1, 2025, though there are discussions about implementing it sooner.

In his social media explanation, Controller Mejia highlighted that “Only some people in the City of LA pay full price for trash pickup,” noting that taxpayers have been subsidizing the costs to keep rates down. This subsidy approach is similar to methods used in several municipalities across Los Angeles County.

For Inglewood residents, this development is significant as regional waste management policies often follow patterns, with fee structures in Los Angeles potentially influencing future decisions in neighboring cities. Currently, Inglewood maintains different fee structures for waste collection, but municipalities throughout the region face similar challenges with aging infrastructure and increasing operational costs.

If approved by the Los Angeles City Council, city lawyers will need to draft an ordinance, and outreach will be conducted to inform affected ratepayers. The rate adjustment is subject to Proposition 218, which requires two public hearings for impacted property owners before implementation.

Proposition 218 is a constitutional amendment that limits the methods by which local governments can levy taxes, fees, and charges without taxpayer consent, applying to municipalities throughout California, including Inglewood.

This story draws on information from reporting by Emilie St. John for 2 Urban Girls.