Tillamook County approves rate increases for two solid‑waste franchisees amid rising costs

The Board of Commissioners on May 21 approved rate increases for two solid‑waste collection franchisees serving parts of Tillamook County.

For the franchise covering the south valley, the commissioners approved an order authorizing a 4.5% rate increase for Nestucca (variously named in the packet) Valley Sanitary Service. Company representatives described multi‑year operational pressures, including crew shortages and vehicle replacements, that reduced margins and required a catch‑up increase. Company leadership described a 75‑year family business history, generational staffing and a recent emergency rate request in the prior year; commissioners acknowledged those pressures and voted to approve the increase.

For the north‑coast franchise, the board approved a separate order authorizing a 2.1% increase for Recology (Recology Northern Oregon / Recology Western Oregon), aligned to the West Coast urban CPI from April to April. Recology representatives said the adjustment would add about $1.19 a month for a typical 90‑gallon residential cart customer in unincorporated Tillamook County; commercial impacts were shown in the packet for larger containers. Company officials described local operations, community cleanup participation, and the company’s employee‑owned structure.

Both franchise adjustments followed review by the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the county’s standard franchise process, which allows an annual cost‑of‑service increase with 30 days’ notice. Commissioners voted to approve both orders by unanimous voice vote.