[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6425897,"mediaKeyId","5906586-6f09538dc93d3668f24d64be18770876","parentId",5906586,"title","Thurston County advisory committee backs ordinance to remove solid-waste rates from code and adopt future rate-setting by resolution","audioSeconds",834,"startMs",618000,"endMs",1452000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906586-6f09538dc93d3668f24d64be18770876&start=618&end=1452","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906586-6f09538dc93d3668f24d64be18770876/thumbnail_618000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6425897/Thurston-County/Washington/Thurston-County-advisory-committee-backs-ordinance-to-remove-solid-waste-rates-from-code-and-adopt-future-rate-setting-by-resolution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6425897-6f11e70802687c6bedf1c641b94b6c46/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442625&Signature=O4OyWQnLvNovp4Bqp8OmGKtPdngLPg0-v-0vakCNjArLfnoZLZwCBNs4WkqIdZ2pJQWqQqzqRmruc-BpNtRCcpcslIZFEJFLj1t1eZDmM6hFRzUMFt-je5WFSrkkN3ct592B-eAa-mxz0aAkprDbWM80k-iIYFT3q~N-ryncCCVUYDm~cM8sVl8J2TwMse8vk3DYMhdwle7Hd7XVY4mu9hUu-dzCKVMUVZEN88oUEHTG~XWm-tBE2DQHFSIxAjsY8OkrsGhN4fQsbAQePnqo-vJQJzdYahK~yIgncxCCEsS6rw4P~x1WoWzpua6YiO9CQopOIX9qMxdLgfGbv97aXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Thurston County Washington","date","2025-10-07T22:24:47Z","article","Thurston County Solid Waste Advisory Committee members voted to recommend that the county amend Thurston County Code chapter 8.12 to remove fixed rates for the Waste-to-Energy and recycling facilities, drop boxes and Hazo House and instead set future rates by resolution.

Amanda Romero of Thurston County Public Works introduced the proposed ordinance, saying the change was “to strike out the rates from our Thurston County code” because using a resolution “is a much more efficient mechanism by which to update rates as needed.” Romero told the committee a public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for Nov. 4 at 3:30 p.m., and that the commissioners will consider a separate rate-resolution in December with its own public hearing.

The committee discussed how the change affects public participation. Jeff (staff member) said that, even with rates moved into a resolution, “it’ll still be held at a public hearing in front of the board, so there's still that similar opportunity for the public to weigh in.” He added the department will publicize proposed changes in advance through social media, signs at disposal sites with QR codes linking to details and handouts at facility customer service points.

Committee members asked a series of operational questions that were clarified during the discussion: the county charges for tires by weight rather than per tire; the CRT/TV fee is intended as a “deterrent fee” to encourage users to take electronics to e‑cycling locations; and moving rates to resolutions would allow staff or commissioners to set a zero fee by resolution if an on-site e-cycle program returns.

Kelly Green moved that the SWAC recommend the code amendments as drafted to the Board of County Commissioners; Greg Schoenbachler seconded. The committee voted in favor; no members spoke in opposition during the roll call. The committee’s recommendation will be transmitted to the commissioners ahead of the Nov. 4 public hearing.

Background: Romero said the amendments also update outdated terminology in the code (for example, replacing “yard debris” with “organics”) and correct position titles (removing a now‑obsolete director title). The change mirrors similar actions by other county utilities that have removed fixed rates from ordinance and now set them by resolution.

The ordinance draft was circulated to committee members by email prior to the meeting; Romero said members should contact her if they did not receive the draft.

Votes at a glance: SWAC recommendation to commissioners on amendments to Thurston County Code chapter 8.12 — Motion: recommend adoption as written; Mover: Kelly Green; Second: Greg Schoenbachler; Outcome: recommended to Board of County Commissioners (committee vote in favor; no recorded opposition).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","October 2, 2025 Thurston County Solid Waste Advisory Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Solid Waste Advisory Committee voted to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners approve a code amendment removing explicit rates from Thurston County Code chapter 8.12 and allowing future rates for WARC, drop boxes and the Hazo House to be set by resolution; a public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4 and a rate resolution is expected in ","taxTitle","Thurston County, Washington","taxId",4614,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6425880,"Public commenter raises state recycling reform (EPR) question; Ecology presentation likely in December",149,377000,526000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906586-6f09538dc93d3668f24d64be18770876&start=377&end=526","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906586-6f09538dc93d3668f24d64be18770876/thumbnail_377000.jpg","/articles/6425880/Thurston-County/Washington/Public-commenter-raises-state-recycling-reform-EPR-question-Ecology-presentation-likely-in-December","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6425880-5b2da5c775ad1ad93dbd27871a17af11/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442625&Signature=g-6nZWUDKAc~K~skhEcEpyEC3oL5n3VxDBxBDRbItONU~D5KotcQjbLNr8BX2XSwPf8OgcEHEp34AB~NGUobcx3T7FhKs5wzm1L7rcEvky5kIFepdN9-D687qr953JLfy5b28JRHB85hT4StCRa9MADJGVQjozqkTnZiuwBl0xnYS~GrqUZizM7XMtWFqZccyPTPi4UfP2i2X~muf8clAiW1~CZsD-Ind8ENG-Cm7Hq1FyW6yjzF0ncrDiP-Ayd99-4~gZncIq~D0P2PKgJQLmOOYo3mXmDHyrkhgRz1NTCVCvA-AbZ3B2lZ9Lg6MyC2zFA28kGtSxMeYWLyNEkdJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public-comment period, attendee Karen Weickert asked how Thurston County will respond to the state's recycling reform (extended‑producer‑responsibility) law and whether there is a channel for interested residents to engage.

Karen said she was surprised that the county does not accept certain flexible packaging items that larger cities like Nashville do. Amanda Romero of Public Works acknowledged the comment, said staff would take a note and recommended the item as a potential future topic. Maggie (staff) reported she has been in touch with Ecology staff and with county contacts and said there is a “strong potential” for a recycling reform act presentation on the committee’s December agenda.

Maggie also said Ecology is soliciting representatives for advisory committees and has a website with information and opportunities to apply. Amanda urged people interested in the specific topic to consult Ecology’s website and consider serving on the advisory committee. The committee did not take formal action on the question during the meeting.","A member of the public asked how the county will implement the state recycling-reform (EPR) law; county staff and ecology contacts told the committee Ecology is planning a presentation and may place the topic on the December agenda, and encouraged residents to join Ecology advisory work.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6425887,"County schedules Silver Springs compost tour and warns of temporary compactor outage for October installations",145,3430000,3575000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906586-6f09538dc93d3668f24d64be18770876&start=3430&end=3575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906586-6f09538dc93d3668f24d64be18770876/thumbnail_3430000.jpg","/articles/6425887/Thurston-County/Washington/County-schedules-Silver-Springs-compost-tour-and-warns-of-temporary-compactor-outage-for-October-installations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6425887-f79e1b69d7741b971402244e327afc69/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442625&Signature=oxjMyjCUNC2FRrPt0AJnrhmvrIgGlNbFQJdYqN~rFN51H-onaCsfrNL9xob5j4dvHplplXw9yhqeVjl2xBwg0kx55fxO1rJuPCRimaIlf-Vodpr5x~QxrByRgIFcinudoZj30iehznDJFrulPCuQ6O1fUzBnFELssDIz-QIMFqZHlOrkTsziSRiCb7rgPUIP1BAexprNtlRaYerhp99yqe0fWpxfkU7mp38705U4pC077uz4YXoXcO5MzpYMjWSu~DkWP3beUHDL~cKHBWf84kB6LJuswIYTdxyYFDoWtIIMFwJv1h6kT6jtCFKr0UfEofn4S1HTN4rtVDg1gBmNSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Thurston County staff invited Solid Waste Advisory Committee members to a tour of the Silver Springs composting facility scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and reminded attendees to RSVP and bring high‑visibility vests and close‑toe footwear.

Jeff (staff member) and Greg Schoenbachler provided logistical details: attendees should enter via Military Road, pass the scale, and follow signs to the parking area and the office building in the back. Members were told to RSVP to Laura (staff) by Monday to confirm attendance.

Separately, staff said the county will replace a transfer‑station compactor beginning Monday, Oct. 20. The vendor SSI estimated removal and installation will take about 10 days to two weeks; during that period the county plans to use open‑top containers to move waste offsite. Staff warned customers—especially commercial users and self‑tipping trailers—that unloading times may be longer while compaction is unavailable, and said outreach will include social media, on‑site signs and an electronic reader board starting the week of Oct. 13.

Jeff said the removed compactor will be mothballed on county property and may be refurbished and installed in a future transfer station building, a choice staff said would save “well over a million dollars” compared with buying a completely new compactor.","Thurston County staff invited committee members to a Silver Springs composting facility tour Oct. 7 and said a compactor replacement will start Oct. 20 and may cause slower unloading times for two weeks while open-top containers are used; staff will post advance notices and signs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6425893,"Prosecuting attorney briefs Thurston County advisory committee on Open Public Meetings Act risks and email etiquette",1779,1496000,3275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906586-6f09538dc93d3668f24d64be18770876&start=1496&end=3275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906586-6f09538dc93d3668f24d64be18770876/thumbnail_1496000.jpg","/articles/6425893/Thurston-County/Washington/Prosecuting-attorney-briefs-Thurston-County-advisory-committee-on-Open-Public-Meetings-Act-risks-and-email-etiquette","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6425893-f752d9883d46e5ec8a96322f0c350bf6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442625&Signature=C9XFxf5JyHfzJuK7eopTxNSkJBFhSr5mIUSiUmhDpcDgngDC2nZmp-I9Zy-5vg9BB6AA7JFvLCOmKsyplVYpTwABI3vXUgWTBTC7HMBHdv9SDJ1jvtEEns~bZOgL~tn7jnYtKMldNa-yrVky8GLJYsWYJrNHTdUGm7R~57UY8X8afa5AmqBJx5he84GpeWV81IJ-9ZF5exP52wpn~aCcwiEO-nfF7mztIBHe0kBtRgLfW9YwDMFRp1W249qfCSZ-bd2JCsvmZ4oYZOluRdC7jTHEbYioQBODfuRuuWWQW1jIVMKLP8~FbOtaYoY6WaMF373sUPuIh9LSi0dtmKZnug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seth Dickey of the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office delivered the required Open Public Meetings Act training to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, explaining what constitutes a meeting, the penalties for noncompliance and practical steps to avoid inadvertent violations.

Dickey told the committee the law is codified in the Revised Code of Washington at chapter 42.30 and read the statute’s policy language about the public’s right to be informed. He warned that “any action that is taken at a meeting which fails to comply with the OPMA, is null and void,” and added that individual members can face fines (he described $500 for a first violation and $1,000 for subsequent violations) and agencies can be ordered to pay attorney fees to successful plaintiffs.

Dickey outlined the broad definition of “action” under the statute — not only votes but deliberations, receipt of public testimony, discussions and other forms of consideration — and cautioned committee members about “serial meetings,” where email chains, texts or other staggered communications can amount to a meeting if they result in a quorum forming a consensus outside public notice. He discussed case law showing how courts analyze awareness among members and the content that can convert passive receipt of information into an actionable deliberation.

Practical guidance included using one‑way communications from staff to distribute meeting materials, replying only to staff (not to other members), employing clerks or third parties to distribute documents, and avoiding substantive discussions during site tours. When asked for a simple rule, Dickey stressed: “Don’t hit the reply all button.”

Dickey said the OPMA also interacts with other statutes and local rules; he noted examples where longer notice periods may apply (for example, sanitary regulations may require longer notice under specific statutes). He offered to provide attendance certificates that satisfy the statutory training requirement for members who need documentation.","Seth Dickey of the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney's Office provided the required training on the Open Public Meetings Act, warning that actions taken in violation can be void, discussing fines and attorney-fee exposure, and emphasizing serial-meeting risks and the common-sense rule: don't 'reply all.'","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Thurston County advisory committee backs ordinance to remove solid-waste rates from code and adopt future rate-setting by resolution

Public commenter raises state recycling reform (EPR) question; Ecology presentation likely in December

County schedules Silver Springs compost tour and warns of temporary compactor outage for October installations

Prosecuting attorney briefs Thurston County advisory committee on Open Public Meetings Act risks and email etiquette