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Council approves consent calendar; sanctions 5.99% waste rate increase and awards $3,000 to 10 nonprofits
Summary
At the regular meeting the Newport City Council adopted the consent calendar, authorized a 5.99% rate increase for Thompson Sanitary Service to reset its operating ratio to contract levels, and approved $3,000 grants to 10 nonprofit applicants from the city’s social-service grant fund.
The Newport City Council took three formal actions affecting city operations and community funding.
Adoption of the consent calendar: The council approved routine items on the consent calendar, including minutes, committee reports and tourism grant applications. A councilor moved to adopt the consent calendar and a second was recorded; the motion carried by voice vote with no roll-call tally provided in the meeting record.
Thompson Sanitary Service rate adjustment: Under the city’s solid-waste franchise agreement, Thompson Sanitary Service submitted its 2025 rate review indicating a projected operating ratio of 93.4%, which exceeds the contract target range. City staff explained the franchise requires a reset toward an 88% operating ratio when the projected ratio exceeds the allowed range. Staff presented a proposed 5.99% rate increase to restore the operating ratio to 88%, citing rising costs for labor, equipment, insurance and disposal.
The council voted to approve the 5.99% rate increase to take effect under the terms of the franchise agreement. The motion was moved and seconded and the council approved the adjustment by voice vote; the meeting record does not include a roll-call tally.
Nonprofit social-service grants: The council considered 10 applicants for the city’s nonprofit social-service grant fund. Staff recommended awards and councilors amended the motion on the floor to increase the per-applicant award from the advertised $2,500 cap to $3,000 each, using the full $30,000 allocation in the fund. The council approved awarding $3,000 to each of the following organizations: The Arc of Lincoln County; Our (organization name as presented) that serves Latin/Guatemalan indigenous communities; Centro de Ayuda; Children’s Advocacy Center of Lincoln County; Connexion Felix; Food Share of Lincoln County; Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County; KWAQ radio; Newport Swim Team; and Northwest Coastal Housing.
Councilors discussed the grants’ vetting process: staff confirmed each applicant provided IRS nonprofit determination letters and agreed to serve Newport residents under the grant terms. The council approved the awards by voice vote; the meeting record does not include roll-call vote counts.
Council staff will finalize grant agreements and return them for administrative completion. Thompson Sanitary Service representatives said they will return with further updates on how the state’s Recycling Modernization Act may affect future projections and reimbursement eligibility.
