NEWMAN — The Newman City Council on Tuesday night will consider approving a recalculated maximum garbage collection rate for Bertolotti Disposal Inc., a routine adjustment required under the city’s long‑standing solid‑waste contract.

The city’s agreement with Bertolotti, renewed in 2010, does not allow the council to set what residents pay for trash and recycling service. Instead, the city is responsible for calculating the highest rate the company may charge. That maximum adjusts every two years based on inflation and landfill costs.

According to a staff report, 80% of the current rate is tied to the 12‑month average Consumer Price Index, which rose 5.73% since 2024. The remaining 20% is tied to tipping fees at the Stanislaus County Waste‑to‑Energy and Fink Road Landfill facilities. The Waste‑to‑Energy plant closed in December 2024, and tipping fees have since increased 25.23%.

As a result, the maximum monthly charge for a standard 90‑gallon trash can is set to rise by $2.60 beginning July 1, 2026.

Because Bertolotti’s customer charges appear on the city’s utility bills, Newman receives a percentage of the amount billed. Staff estimate the updated rates will generate about $34,000 in additional General Fund revenue.

The council will vote on the resolution, which would formally approve the recalculated maximum rate as required by the contract.