The Metropolitan King County Council on Sept. 16 approved a substitute ordinance setting fees for recycling and transfer facilities and Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, and added a late amendment giving the Department of Natural Resources and Parks authority to reduce certain regional direct fees when multiple transfer stations are closed.

The amendment (Amendment 1) authorizes the director of the county’s Solid Waste Division to implement reduced regional direct fees to Cedar Hills Regional Landfill when two or more transfer stations are closed and haulers must haul directly to Cedar Hills. The amendment describes a tiered rate structure tied to the number of days of disruption and exempts closures due to causes beyond the division’s control — for example, natural disasters, severe weather, strikes or similar events.

Why it matters: The change responds to concerns raised by private haulers and transfer‑station users about the operational and cost impacts of recent transfer‑station closures. Councilmembers said the amendment provides a narrowly tailored, short‑term mechanism to reduce unexpected costs imposed on haulers when station closures force longer direct hauls to Cedar Hills.

Councilmember Dave Dombowski, who moved the ordinance, said the amendment was developed quickly with department and industry input to give the director discretion to offer targeted relief for haulers during disruptions. April Sanders of council policy staff briefed the council and explained that the amendment was included in the additional materials packet and lays out rates for one, two or three or more days of disruption.

Public comment: Haulers and solid‑waste contractors supported the pause and the amendment. Kevin Kelly of WM thanked the council for pausing to allow further discussion and for staff collaboration that produced an adjusted rate package. Alyssa Campbell, speaking for Ecology (a contractor serving 13 jurisdictions), described operational strains created by transfer‑station disruptions and urged continued work to restore reliability across the disposal system.

Vote and next steps: The ordinance as amended passed on roll call, 8 ayes to 1 no; Councilmember Reagan Dunn cast the single no vote. The council recorded the vote and adopted Proposed Substitute Ordinance 2025‑0182 as amended. Councilmembers said the change is an interim measure; they expect a broader rate review and a rate summit to examine system‑wide efficiency and affordability.

Taper: Council and department staff said they will continue engagement with haulers and advisory committees — the Municipal Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee — as the county works toward longer‑term rate solutions.