Thurston County advisory committee backs ordinance to remove solid-waste rates from code and adopt future rate-setting by resolution

Thurston County Solid Waste Advisory Committee members voted to recommend that the county amend Thurston County Code chapter 8.12 to remove fixed rates for the Waste-to-Energy and recycling facilities, drop boxes and Hazo House and instead set future rates by resolution.

Amanda Romero of Thurston County Public Works introduced the proposed ordinance, saying the change was “to strike out the rates from our Thurston County code” because using a resolution “is a much more efficient mechanism by which to update rates as needed.” Romero told the committee a public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for Nov. 4 at 3:30 p.m., and that the commissioners will consider a separate rate-resolution in December with its own public hearing.

The committee discussed how the change affects public participation. Jeff (staff member) said that, even with rates moved into a resolution, “it’ll still be held at a public hearing in front of the board, so there's still that similar opportunity for the public to weigh in.” He added the department will publicize proposed changes in advance through social media, signs at disposal sites with QR codes linking to details and handouts at facility customer service points.

Committee members asked a series of operational questions that were clarified during the discussion: the county charges for tires by weight rather than per tire; the CRT/TV fee is intended as a “deterrent fee” to encourage users to take electronics to e‑cycling locations; and moving rates to resolutions would allow staff or commissioners to set a zero fee by resolution if an on-site e-cycle program returns.

Kelly Green moved that the SWAC recommend the code amendments as drafted to the Board of County Commissioners; Greg Schoenbachler seconded. The committee voted in favor; no members spoke in opposition during the roll call. The committee’s recommendation will be transmitted to the commissioners ahead of the Nov. 4 public hearing.

Background: Romero said the amendments also update outdated terminology in the code (for example, replacing “yard debris” with “organics”) and correct position titles (removing a now‑obsolete director title). The change mirrors similar actions by other county utilities that have removed fixed rates from ordinance and now set them by resolution.

The ordinance draft was circulated to committee members by email prior to the meeting; Romero said members should contact her if they did not receive the draft.

Votes at a glance: SWAC recommendation to commissioners on amendments to Thurston County Code chapter 8.12 — Motion: recommend adoption as written; Mover: Kelly Green; Second: Greg Schoenbachler; Outcome: recommended to Board of County Commissioners (committee vote in favor; no recorded opposition).