Montero-Westside Sanitary District voted 5–0 Tuesday to adopt two ordinances setting maximum solid-waste rates and restating the district’s master fee schedule, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Staff told the board that Recology calculated a 16.67% contract increase for calendar year 2026 but the district’s contract caps annual increases at 6%, meaning roughly 10.67% is carried into the 2026 rate year. Parnas, presenting for district staff, said the 32‑gallon container monthly rate would rise from $42.98 to $45.56 under the recommended schedule. Parnas said notices were mailed to property owners in October under the Prop 218 process and, at the time of the hearing, staff had received zero written protests.

The board closed the public hearing, asked the clerk to tabulate protests and then moved to adopt the two ordinances. By roll call the board approved Ordinance No. 2‑17 (establishing maximum rates for collection, removal and disposal of refuse and recycling services) and Ordinance No. 2‑18 (restating and amending the master fee schedule), each by a 5–0 vote.

Directors and staff spent additional time clarifying contract language and the fee schedule’s description of bulky-item services. Several board members and residents worried the draft fee schedule could be read to imply Recology collects motor oil at quarterly drop‑off events. A Recology representative told the board, “since I have been here in May, we’ve never collected motor oil [at cleanups]” because of safety and transportation concerns, and said motor oil is accepted at Recology’s Palmetto recycling yard at 1046 Palmetto during posted hours.

Recology staff also outlined curbside handling practices: batteries should be placed on top of the recycle can (preferably in a plastic zip‑top bag) and drivers are trained to look for them; some types of light bulbs require special tubes and are accepted at the Palmetto yard or at quarterly events in special packaging. Board members asked staff to add a clarifying note to the bulky‑goods line in the fee schedule to avoid misimpression about motor‑oil pickup at quarterly events.

The board moved the ordinances after the district clerk reported there were zero valid written protests under Prop 218, and the measures will take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The board also approved its consent agenda 5–0 later in the meeting.

The district said it will revisit contract language and the fee schedule to include the requested clarifications before publishing final materials to customers.