In an effort to maintain stable waste disposal rates, the City of Fullerton will extend its Waste Disposal Agreement (WDA) with the County of Orange until June 30, 2026. The City Council will review a request from City Manager Eric Levitt, who recommends a 2.6% Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase as part of the agreement.

The proposed amendment allows for an additional year to negotiate a successor agreement, following a notice from the Orange County Waste and Recycling (OCWR) in January 2022 about potential revisions to the current WDA. This comes in light of new legislative requirements, including California’s Senate Bill 1383, which mandates local governments to divert organic waste, such as food scraps and landscaping debris, from landfills.

Under the existing agreement, Fullerton and other cities and sanitary districts deposit their solid waste exclusively at County-operated landfills in exchange for lower disposal rates. The WDA, which originally began in 2009, was last amended to extend its term until June 2025. However, city officials believe additional time is necessary to reach mutually acceptable terms with OCWR regarding the proposed successor agreement.

The WISE (Waste Infrastructure System Enhancement) agreement, introduced by OCWR, suggests a substantial increase in landfill disposal rates—from $42.65 to $82 per ton—representing a staggering 92.3% hike. This increase is intended to cover rising operational costs and enhanced regulatory compliance, alongside plans for capital expenditures on landfill infrastructure.

To facilitate the negotiation process, the Orange County City Manager Association (OCCMA) formed a committee in December 2024. The agreement to extend the current WDA includes a 2.6% disposal fee increase and provides stakeholders with time to assess costs and infrastructure plans before anticipated larger rate adjustments begin on July 1, 2026.

If negotiations remain unresolved by September 30, 2025, the OCCMA and OCWR will provide monthly updates to all cities and sanitary districts starting in October of that year.

The City of Fullerton believes that executing the Second Amendment to the WDA is in the public interest, as it fosters collaboration among local governments and ensures stable disposal rates for residents and businesses in the region.