Pasco council reviews Franklin County draft solid waste plan amid funding uncertainty
Loading...
Summary
City staff and Herrera consultants briefed the council on the Franklin County draft solid waste management plan, outlining regulatory deadlines, goals for harmonized recycling and organics programs, and an uncertain funding picture for implementing state mandates such as curbside organics and recycling.
City of Pasco council members on Tuesday heard a presentation on the Franklin County draft Solid Waste Management Plan and pressed staff and consultants about how required new recycling and organics programs would be funded.
Wendy Mifflin, a solid waste planner with Herrera Environmental Consultants, summarized the regulatory background and timeline, noting state review and SEPA are underway and that cities are expected to adopt the county plan after regulatory comments are addressed. Mifflin said the plan was developed with a Solid Waste Advisory Committee representing cities, the county, haulers, businesses and citizens and that the plan sets goals for collection, recycling, rate stability and protection of public health and the environment.
The presentation cited a statutory requirement (presented in the meeting as “RCWA 70 70 a 205”) obligating local governments to maintain updated solid waste plans; the consultant presented a tentative schedule calling for city adoption in May–June and a final Department of Ecology review in August.
Council members focused on the plan’s funding strategies. Councilmember Peralez pointed to a table in the draft plan that discussed possible surcharges, rate changes and franchise fee adjustments to cover new recycling mandates. Mifflin responded that the Legislature and Department of Ecology have adopted several regulatory requirements without a corresponding state funding package and that Ecology grants may cover some elements; other services (for example, curbside organics collection) would likely require local funding and could increase monthly bills for residents.
Jeff, a representative of PDI who reviewed the rule timeline with staff, said the state’s organics rule is scheduled for 2027 implementation (with counties able to request waivers to 2030) and that curbside recycling planning is expected by 2030; he added that how to fund and operate those services is still under development.
No public speakers addressed the draft plan during the workshop. Staff said the draft will remain in regulatory review, will be revised to reflect comments, and will return to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and to cities for formal adoption later this spring.
