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Board adopts ordinance to raise solid-waste certificate fee from 3% to 4%
Summary
Washington County commissioners on June 24 adopted Ordinance No. 907, revising county code to increase the annual certificate fee charged to garbage and recycling companies operating in unincorporated county areas from 3% to 4% of gross revenue. Staff said the change is expected to raise about $380,000 in the next fiscal year to support the Solid
Washington County commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 907 on June 24, revising county code chapter 8.04 to increase the annual certificate fee assessed on garbage and recycling collectors operating in unincorporated county areas from 3% to 4% of gross revenue.
Lede: The board voted unanimously to approve the ordinance after a staff presentation from the director of Health and Human Services, who said the fee increase would generate an estimated $380,000 next fiscal year to support the Solid Waste and Recycling Division's core programs and services.
Nut graf: County staff told the board the division's programmatic expenses have outpaced current revenues and that the fee change was already discussed in prior work sessions and budget hearings. The county said even after the increase, unincorporated Washington County would remain one of the lower-fee jurisdictions in the metro region; most comparable governments assess around 5%.
Details: Mira Mantle, director of Health and Human Services, presented the staff report and explained the recommended code change would align the code with the FY 2025-26 budget adopted June 17. Staff estimated the average single-family household could see an increase of about $0.18 per month on their bill as a result of the change and said implementation was scheduled to go into effect August 1 to align with annual rate changes.
Board action and vote: After a public hearing with no speakers, the board adopted the ordinance by roll-call vote. The motion carried 4-0.
Ending: The ordinance change will take effect Aug. 1; county staff will coordinate implementation with haulers and the county's billing processes.
Speakers cited: Mira Mantle (Director, Health and Human Services).
