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Wilsonville staff propose cost‑of‑service solid waste rate changes; council asked about spread and subsidies
Summary
Consultants recommended switching to a cost‑of‑service approach for solid waste rates after disposal costs outpaced CPI; proposals would adjust cart‑size pricing and consider maintaining a 25% spread or moving to a 30% spread, with disposal driven by Metro fees cited as the primary cost pressure.
City consultant Chris Bell presented a cost‑of‑service review of solid waste fees and a proposed 2026 rate schedule intended to align rates with service costs and Republic Services contract obligations. The presentation explained that disposal costs (regulated by Metro) have risen faster than CPI and account for a substantial portion of the overall increase in the last several years, prompting rates beyond a routine CPI adjustment.
The proposed methodology separates collection ($1.38 flat component) from disposal (cart‑size specific) to calculate new rates for 20‑, 32‑, 65‑ and 95‑gallon carts. Council was asked whether to preserve the existing roughly 25% spread between smallest and largest residential cart rates or adopt a 30% spread; staff noted that switching to a 30% spread would produce modest increases for the smallest carts and larger increases for larger carts (commercial/large carts are mostly used by businesses).
Staff emphasized the 20‑gallon service has historically been subsidized by larger carts and that approximately 736 residential customers — about 12% of the base — use the 20‑gallon cart. Ancillary fees (extra pickup, haul rates, drop‑box charges) were proposed to be increased roughly in line with the overall adjustment or by 3.3% where noted. Council and staff agreed the consultant and Republic Services recommend the cost‑of‑service approach rather than a flat percentage increase.
Staff said the revised rate schedule will return to council for consideration at the December 15 meeting.
