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Recology proposes 2.1% rate increase and optional commingled recycling for Nehalem
Summary
Recology asked the Nehalem City Council for a 2.1% CPI rate increase and proposed adding citywide commingled recycling (about 14 materials), estimating an added $5–$7 per month for customers; council agreed to the rate increase and asked for more outreach on recycling.
Dan Blue, Government & Community Relations Manager for Recology, told the Nehalem City Council on May 12 that the company is seeking a 2.1% Consumer Price Index rate increase and is proposing optional commingled recycling service for the city. He said Recology polled 129 Nehalem customers: 29 responded yes, 15 no and 3 neutral. Blue said added recycling every other week would increase customer bills about $5–$7 per month, to roughly $54.79, and would allow recycling of about 14 different materials. "It would raise the monthly rate for all Recology customers in Nehalem," Blue said.
Council President Hilary Howell said she did not feel comfortable imposing added fees on residents until there was more evident interest. Councilor Dave Cram suggested surveying residents who are not currently Recology customers to gauge demand, and Councilor Kristina Quintana noted that inflation makes even modest increases difficult for some households. Blue said state funds to assist with recycling are expected to be available starting July 1 and offered to return with more precise monthly-rate numbers.
The council signaled consensus to move forward with the proposed 2.1% CPI increase while taking more time to consider adding recycling as a citywide service. No formal ordinance or binding voter approval was recorded; any change to service or rate structure would be implemented through the usual contracting and rate-setting processes.
