Astoria council approves Recology rate increases, asks company to set up low‑income collection program

The Astoria City Council on June 16 approved requested rate adjustments from Recology Northern Oregon for both collection services and the Astoria transfer station, and asked the company to develop a low‑income collection program for the council’s consideration.

Recology officials — government relations manager Dan Blue, Coast operations manager Katie Hardesty and General Manager Chris Carey — told the council the request followed the franchise agreement process and Recology’s annual financial review. Blue said the company proposed a 2.1% increase to collection services (tied to recent CPI) and a 7.3% increase for the Astoria transfer station. Blue summarized Recology: “We are a West Coast only garbage collection company” and described the company’s regional operations, employee ownership and local services.

Recology gave an itemized explanation of customer impacts: a 32‑gallon curbside customer would see about $0.70 per month under the collection increase; a 90‑gallon cart would rise about $1.17 per month; a sample commercial adjustment at 2.1% would be about $5.43. Blue said the collection operating ratio target in the franchise is 88–92% and the 2.1% adjustment would place their projected operating ratio near the target.

Recology said the higher 7.3% transfer-station increase reflects added staffing (an FTE supervisor) and new equipment to improve safety and throughput; the company also flagged an increased tip fee from Trails End for yard debris (quoted at $26.50/yard in the presentation) as a pass-through cost that affected the transfer station rates. Chris Carey outlined infrastructure needs at the transfer station — aging floor surfaces, limited internal space, old baler and scales — and said improving the facility would likely require capital investment by Recology with a license-term extension to recoup costs. Carey described the facility as built in 1986 and suggested a 5–7 year planning and funding horizon for larger upgrades.

Councilors pressed for details on allocation methodology and local impacts. Recology explained that Astoria’s projected revenue increase in the packet reflected the local allocation model (customer counts, labor and truck hours, tonnage) and a recent service expansion in the city. Councilor Davis expressed concern about rate volatility but acknowledged that the request fell within the franchise terms.

Several members of the public spoke during the transfer station discussion. Peggy Nicola and Kim Townsend, both Astoria residents and property owners, said even modest fee changes affect working households and landlords who pass costs to tenants; they urged the council to consider impacts on low‑income residents. Lisa Morley and others asked how operating-ratio targets and internal company costs were set. Recology representatives said the franchise agreement (in place since 2013) establishes the operating-ratio framework.

Councilor Adams moved to “approve the attached resolution for solid waste collection rate changes and authorize modification of the transfer station license to incorporate the rate changes to be effective 07/01/2025 as prescribed by the city franchise agreement with Recology,” and also moved that Recology “establish a low income collection program in which the Astoria City Council can adopt.” The motion was seconded by Councilor Davis and passed on a roll-call vote with Councilors Davis, Mazzarella, Adams, Lump and Mayor Fitzpatrick voting aye.

Recology said it will operate the transfer station and continue to work with the city on any license modifications and longer-term facility improvements; the company announced a community mattress recycling event scheduled for June 26 to be held at the Astoria transfer station.

Votes at a glance: Recology rate changes and transfer station license modification (adopted) — mover: Councilor Adams; second: Councilor Davis; roll call: Davis (aye), Mazzarella (aye), Adams (aye), Lump (aye), Mayor Fitzpatrick (aye).