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Deschutes County gives notice to terminate rolling franchise contracts, plans regional reprocurement

Joint meeting of the Bend City Council and Deschutes County Board of Commissioners · January 21, 2026

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Summary

County staff told the joint meeting the county gave notice to wind down evergreen solid-waste collection franchises and will work regionally toward a new, termed franchise with an RFP expected in late 2028–early 2029.

Deschutes County officials told the Bend council and county board that the county has issued notice to terminate long‑standing 'evergreen' solid‑waste collection franchises and intends to pursue a regional, competitively procured franchise agreement in coordination with nearby cities.

Tim Brownell, Deschutes County solid‑waste director, reminded the meeting that existing franchise arrangements date to about 1972 and no longer reflect modern collection, recycling and organics functions. Brownell said the county’s Dec. 1 decision to not renew collection franchises begins a six‑year wind‑down period for current contracts unless default accelerates the timeline.

Brownell outlined the county’s preferred structure for future agreements: defined minimum service scope and standards, designated receiving facilities, enhanced financial disclosure to support rate setting, clearer contract administration roles, and enforcement consequences for missed service standards. He said the county is considering moving from rolling contracts to longer termed agreements (likely 10 years) and plans to put a regional RFP out in late 2028–early 2029 to give vendors time to mobilize vehicles and containers.

Brownell said county staff will coordinate with other municipalities (noting the City of Redmond has already given similar notice) and explore administrative models including an IGA, joint powers authority or a waste management district to structure rate setting and oversight.

Questions from councilors focused on the timing of Bend’s separate renewal window (automatic renewal April 15 unless the council notifies haulers by March 15) and whether recycling/compost facility leases and transfer‑station hauling franchises would be included; Brownell confirmed those agreements were also given notice of termination and will be addressed as part of the regional approach.

Next steps: County staff will continue regional coordination and return to city staff and council with recommendations and implementation timelines ahead of Bend’s February update and the planned RFP timeline in 2028–29.