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County staff to sign MPO transit coordination amendment; DEQ producer‑responsibility rollout discussed
Summary
Public Works will bring an amended transit‑MPO coordination agreement to the board for signature next week; staff also briefed commissioners on a DEQ rebate and statewide producer‑responsibility rules that will return modest funds to counties and expand curbside recycling lists.
Public Works asked the Board of Commissioners to authorize a signature on an amended agreement that formally recognizes the county transit provider’s participation in metropolitan planning organization (MPO) planning and funding coordination. The director said the amendment formalizes work the transit provider already does and is a federal requirement in urbanized areas; the board asked staff to place the amended agreement on next week’s weekly business session for signature.
Public Works also briefed the board on two solid‑waste items. First, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is returning a small rebate to the county—about $23,000—for solid‑waste tonnage under a producer‑responsibility program. Staff recommended depositing the rebate into the county solid‑waste fund to cover ongoing monitoring and reporting costs rather than attempting a per‑household rebate, which would be administratively costly given the small per‑household amount. Staff outlined eligible uses (operation of solid‑waste facilities, planning, disposal fee reductions and cleanup projects).
Second, staff discussed the upcoming statewide producer responsibility (PRO) rollout, a DEQ policy that requires producers to fund recycling and disposal systems for certain products. The county will receive modest funds and must decide whether to let haulers use the money for program costs or to accept funds directly and run additional depot services. Staff and the board indicated a preference to keep the rebate routing simple — either accept a DEQ report or allow haulers to receive funds and report back — because Josephine County already runs countywide recycling and the sums are limited.
Board members asked Public Works to prepare a proposed board order for next week that mirrors the city’s approach and delegates the rebate distribution to haulers (with required reporting) or places funds in the county solid‑waste fund; staff said they will prepare a board order and coordinate with the city.
