Deschutes County commissioners on Dec. 1 authorized county staff to begin terminating long-standing solid-waste collection franchise arrangements in unincorporated areas and to lead a coordinated countywide effort with cities to design and competitively procure modern franchise agreements.

The Solid Waste Department told the board the existing franchise framework dates to 1972 and was designed for a county population of roughly 30,000; current collection and recycling systems now serve about 215,000 people across the county and cities. The department outlined a two-stage approach: issue termination notices that trigger a six-year wind-down under the existing evergreen contracts, then spend the first three years designing a unified franchise template and negotiating intergovernmental agreements with Bend, Redmond, Sisters and La Pine.

"What we're looking at with the notice of termination ... would then put in place a 6 year wind down," the Solid Waste Department director said, while stressing the county wants to ensure performance standards, facility design and financial transparency are updated to match contemporary service expectations.

Commissioners and public commenters said they supported a modernized franchise that preserves high-performing local service while protecting customers. One caller who identified herself as a long-time Cascade Disposal customer praised the company's responsiveness but warned that changing ownership (Cascade is now a subsidiary of a national firm) argues for stronger county contract protections, not for excluding incumbent local operators.

Commissioner (speaker 8) moved to authorize the Solid Waste Department director to issue notices of termination to franchise holders in the unincorporated county to initiate the six-year wind down and to lead a coordinated countywide RFP/procurement process targeting 10- to 15-year agreement terms; the board seconded and recorded affirmative votes to proceed.

Key implementation details the board heard: the county is considering major investments (staff cited potential landfill and processing facilities in the Bend area and estimated potential capital investment "in the neighborhood of up to a $125,000,000"), incumbent haulers hold an infrastructure advantage (carts and equipment), cities would continue to set rates under intergovernmental agreements, and the county will pursue financial transparency and performance standards in any new contracts.

The board directed staff to coordinate with cities on franchise design and procurement, and to return with steps and timelines. The action begins a multi-year transition rather than an immediate contract termination.

What happens next: staff will develop the coordinated franchise template, continue discussions with city partners and incumbent haulers, and, if necessary, prepare an RFP to solicit competing proposals. The record does not include a detailed roll-call vote tally in the public transcript; commissioners recorded affirmative responses to proceed on the motion.