Bill would let Marion County cities negotiate waste contracts; commissioners warn flow-control needed to maintain recovery

Senate Bill 1067, before the House Climate, Energy and Environment Committee on May 8, would permit cities in Marion County to control or direct disposal, transfer, or material- or energy-recovery of solid waste generated within the city and to enter related contracts, rather than leaving that authority solely at the county level.

Senator Deb Patterson, sponsor of the Senate measure, said the bill would “level the playing field” with other Oregon counties where cities already have that authority and would give cities an option to negotiate rates and disposal arrangements for their residents. Leslie Munoz, who represents House District 22 and testified in favor, told the committee the bill is permissive, not mandatory — a city would have to adopt an ordinance to exercise the new authority — and could be used to seek alternatives to incineration or to negotiate different service terms.

Marion County official…