City council Tuesday: New city council members seated, new mayor selected and possible garbage rate increase

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The three city council members elected by voters in November will take the oath of office on Tuesday, December 13. The City will recognize outgoing City Councilmember Devin Middlebrook for his service to the City of South Lake Tahoe, the last year as its mayor.

Reelected councilmembers Tamara Wallace and Cody Bass will join newcomer Scott Robbins in receiving new oaths for the next four years, and once they are seated, they will join current city councilmember John Friedrich and Mayor Pro Tem Cristi Creegan on the dais. They will choose among themselves who will be mayor and mayor pro team for the following year.

Also during the meeting, South Tahoe Refuse (STR) will be before the council to request a rate increase for 2023. The City maintains a franchise agreement with STR for solid waste collection and disposal, an agreement that can be updated when necessary due to changes in the Consumer Price Index and landfill disposal costs.

In 2021 there was a 9.04 percent rate increase for the City of South Lake Tahoe; a 7.11 percent rate increase for Douglas County; and a 5.77 percent rate increase for El Dorado County.

In 2022, there was a 3.77 percent rate increase for the City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County; and a 3.69 percent rate increase for Douglas County.

As a result of the rate analysis by Crowe LLP on November 4, 2022, their calculation supports a 2023 interim year rate increase of 4.96 percent for the City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County and a 4.86 percent interim
year rate increase for Douglas County.

The reasons for different rate increases for each area STR services are many, including the hills involved on service routes, the number of bear cans, Residential and commercial revenues and customer mix, and traffic.

If approved, the residential rates would rise from $35.89 to $37.65, and commercial rates from $40.49 per cubic yard to $42.50.

The complete agenda can be found HERE in both English and Spanish, as well as participation instructions. The meeting is held both online and in person.