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Hood River County approves small garbage rate increase effective Jan. 1, 2025
Summary
The Board approved a requested 2.08% rate adjustment, tied to 85% of the 2.44% CPI, which will raise a weekly 32‑gallon residential bill by about $0.51 per month. The proposal drew no public testimony and passed unanimously.
The Hood River County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Nov. 18 to accept a garbage rate increase requested by Waste Connections, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Jim Winterbottom of Waste Connections told the board the company sought 85% of the 2.44% consumer price index for 2025 — a 2.08% adjustment — to help cover rising operating and expenditure costs.
"A residential customer who currently has a 32 gallon can serviced weekly pays $24.78 per month; this increase would be $0.51 per month or $0.12 per pickup," Winterbottom said during the public hearing. Chair Euwer opened the hearing and closed the public comment period after no members of the public testified.
Commissioner Weathers moved to accept the rate as proposed and Commissioner Muenzer seconded. The motion carried 5–0 (Commissioners Moretti, Babitz, Muenzer, Weathers and Chair Euwer voting yes).
Why it matters: the adjustment is modest per account, but the board said it reflects broader inflationary pressure on county waste and disposal services. County staff and Waste Connections provided packet materials with a fuller cost breakdown.
What’s next: the rate takes effect Jan. 1, 2025. Details on tiered or commercial rates were referenced in the packet but were not debated during the hearing.
