Title
Environmental Management recommending the Board approve the Final Passage (Second Reading) of Ordinance 5262 to amend Chapter 8.42 of the El Dorado County Code of Ordinances entitled Solid Waste Management. (Refer: 5/12/2026, Item 32)
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On May 12, 2026, the Board approved the Introduction (First Reading) of Ordinance 5262 to amend Chapter 8.42 of the El Dorado County Code of Ordinances entitled Solid Waste Management and Continued the matter to May 19, 2026 for Final Passage (Second Reading).
The Solid Waste Management Ordinance (Chapter 8.42) was adopted by the Board in 1997 and has not been updated since. Operational challenges, regulatory changes, and community feedback have highlighted the need for a comprehensive revision to improve clarity, compliance, and service delivery.
The ordinance updates include:
- Mandatory Collection Expansion: Potential addition of a new mandatory collection area in the Tahoma-Meeks Bay region to address public health and service needs.
- Organic Waste Management: Elimination of exemptions for plastic bags and addition of requirements for franchise-approved paper or compostable bags to improve processing of yard and organic waste.
- Enforcement Consistency: Consolidation of enforcement and abatement procedures under Chapter 9.02 to align with County Code Enforcement standards.
Board Policy A-3 requires conceptual approval before drafting ordinance language. On March 24, 2026, the Board gave conceptual approval to staff to amend the ordinance and return with a presentation outlining the changes (Legistar file 26-0405).
Staff have prepared a presentation (Attachment F) outlining the changes, which includes:
8.42.150 - Clarifying Board authority on rate setting
8.42.180 - Add Proposition 218 language
8.42.200 - Add township language for mandatory area
8.42.530 - Remove plastic bag exemption
8.42.550 - Require franchise-approved paper or compostable bags
8.42.800 - Change 'abatement and penalties' to 'enforcement and abatement'
8.42.800 - Add 9.02 language to streamline enforcement and abatement
8.42.810 - Removed
8.42.820 - Removed
8.42.840 - Removed
An informational bulletin has been mailed (Attachment D) to all potentially affected parcels in regards to the changes proposed with mandatory service which includes a summary of the enhanced services to be provided by Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal (TTSD). In addition, Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal will also have a presentation (Attachment E) outlining the mandatory collection expansion with new enhanced services. A survey questionnaire was sent to applicable property owners in August 2025. 208 responses were received (Attachment G), showing 50% of the respondents support mandatory service, with 31.25% opposing. 18.75% were neutral. The current satisfaction rate with TTSD is 75.96%; 79.33% favor stabilization of rates; 50% in favor of protecting wildlife; 51.92% in favor of expanded green waste; and 45.19% in favor of expanded recycling programs.
ALTERNATIVES
1. The Board may choose not to proceed with the Ordinance revisions. If the Board chooses not to proceed with the revision, the Ordinance will remain as currently written.
2. The Board may choose to direct staff to incorporate changes and return back to the Board.
3. The Board may choose not to add the township language for the new mandatory area (8.42.200). TTSD would have the option to exit the current franchise agreement leaving the area subject to non-collection of refuse or self-hauling of refuse until another franchise hauler is under agreement.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No financial impact is associated with Ordinance approval. If the Board approves the mandatory collection area, as defined in Sec. 8.42.200, The rates proposed by Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal are directly related to the cost to provide these services to customers. The County’s Franchise Fee will remain at 5%. However, as rates are incrementally increased, the County will see a slight increase in Franchise Fee revenue.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Jeffrey Warren, REHS, Director
Environmental Management Department