Keizer Council OKs transfer of RMA funds to Marion County to fund hauler education
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Summary
The Keizer City Council authorized the city manager to allow Circular Action Alliance to release Keizer’s share of producer responsibility organization funds — about $117,747 — to Marion County Public Works to pay haulers for expanded recycling and contamination‑reduction services under Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act.
Keizer — The Keizer City Council on Feb. 17 authorized the city manager to permit Circular Action Alliance to release roughly $117,747 of producer responsibility organization (PRO) funds to Marion County Public Works Environmental Services to reimburse local haulers for expanded services required by the Recycling Modernization Act (RMA).
Public Works Director (Miss Blaylock) told council members the RMA — implemented under Senate Bill 582 and administered through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and its contractor Circular Action Alliance — requires local governments to expand recycling access, upgrade sorting, and reduce contamination. She said Circular Action Alliance has begun collecting fees from producers and is prepared to distribute the funds to municipalities.
"The RMA requires local governments, including us, to expand access to recycling services, upgrade facilities that sort recyclables, and reduce impacts from waste materials such as plastic pollution," Miss Blaylock said. She added that Circular Action Alliance is prepared to release funds "in the amount of approximately $117,800."
Blaylock and staff explained Keizer does not directly provide curbside hauling; local haulers provide those services. The council supported a countywide contamination reduction management plan so Marion County could administer the funds and allocate them to haulers as they document compliance with the plan.
Council members sought clarity about whether the funds reduce resident bills and how administrative reporting will work. Staff said the money is designated for education and implementation of the management plan and that DEQ defines fund eligibility; it will not directly lower residents’ bills.
Councilor Kohler moved to authorize the city manager to allow Circular Action Alliance to distribute Keizer’s PRO funds to Marion County Public Works Environmental Services for allocation to local waste providers; the motion passed unanimously with two councilors absent.
Next steps: Marion County will administer the funds and document distributions to haulers under the countywide plan; the city remains responsible for DEQ reporting and compliance oversight.
