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Tillamook County approves modest solid-waste rate increase as state recycling law rolls out
Summary
The Board approved a roughly 2% across‑the‑board increase to cover higher hauling and processing costs, and staff outlined a phased implementation of Oregon’s producer-funded recycling law and local changes to yard‑debris vouchers and sharps disposal options.
Tillamook County commissioners approved an order raising municipal solid‑waste, yard‑debris and commingled recycling disposal rates at the Tillamook, Manzanita and Pacific City transfer stations, citing higher hauling costs and near‑term changes from a new state recycling law.
The board voted unanimously to adopt the change after Solid Waste Program Manager Justin Wiese told commissioners the increase is intended to offset higher hauling expenses, including recent changes to where county refuse must be transported. “I did hear recently the incinerator was closed a little bit unexpectedly and so that shortened the lifespan by a couple years and so even more critical,” Wiese said, describing how the closure reduced available regional disposal capacity.
Wiese said the adopted order maintains the current $25 minimum fee for small self‑hauls (he noted that $25 currently covers about 189 pounds of municipal solid waste) while raising per‑ton rates for franchise haulers and self‑haulers. He said commingled recycling fees will also rise pending market changes and implementation of the state’s producer responsibility program.
County staff told the board that Oregon’s new recycling law, which takes effect July 1, is funded and coordinated by manufacturers and administered through a combination of the Department of Environmental Quality and a nonprofit coordinator. Wiese said the law provides a six‑month learning period and that outreach and funding agreements are still being finalized. He said the county has requested outreach funding and expects to receive up to roughly $40,000 earmarked for education and signage to help deploy new carts and lists of acceptable curbside materials.
Wiese described an expected rolling timetable: July 1 is the program’s implementation date; carts and expanded service are likely to arrive in mid‑August with new decals and expanded lists going into effect around early September in areas where haulers and funding agreements are ready.
Commissioners and staff also discussed operational issues prompted by the incinerator closure and other service gaps, including the county’s search for longer‑term disposal alternatives and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions. Wiese said the county is working with regional partners and the Solid Waste Advisory Committee to avoid emergency decisions and to limit long‑distance hauling if possible.
The discussion expanded into household hazardous‑waste and sharps disposal. Wiese said the county sells prepaid 3‑gallon sharps containers at the Public Works office (503 Marolf Loop), and that City Sanitary accepts properly packaged red biohazard containers for disposal. He acknowledged barriers to participation and said procurement for a hazardous‑waste contractor and six collection events this year could broaden disposal options.
The board approved Order No. 25‑020 (SWSD No. 25‑011) to change customer and franchise rates. The motion carried with a vocal aye vote from the board.
