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Crook County approves 3.25% rate increase for Republic Services after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing, Crook County commissioners approved a 3.25% rate increase for Republic Services effective July 1, 2026, down from the 6.5% the company requested; finance analysis and projected population growth were cited as reasons for the lower figure.
Crook County commissioners voted on May 6 to approve a 3.25% rate increase for Republic Services’ solid‑waste franchise, to take effect July 1, 2026, after a public hearing and staff analysis.
Republic Services requested a 6.5% increase, telling the board that 2025 results produced $2.9 million in revenue and a contract margin near 11%. "Our total franchise income for 2025 was $296,000 which yielded a contract margin of 11%," said Erikica Heightsman, identified in the hearing as the general manager for Republic Services' Central Oregon operations. She told the board the 6.5% request reflected inflation, wage pressures and a 5.8% disposal fee increase.
County finance staff and commissioners said an internal analysis that folded in anticipated population growth and variable costs justified a significantly smaller increase. Christina Herren, Crook County finance director, summarized the finance view: when combined with expected customer growth, a rate increase in the 3.25%–4.1% range would place the contractor within the contract margin without passing the full 6.5% requested by the company.
Several members of the public attended the hearing; one commenter urged the board to account for fast county growth and warned that underestimating growth could push margins toward the top of the allowable band. Republic replied that population growth does not always translate directly into tonnage growth and that increased volume brings variable disposal and labor costs.
Commissioners said they were comfortable approving the lower increase while leaving the company able to seek adjustments if actual results differ. The board approved a motion to set the increase at 3.25% effective July 1, 2026, and directed staff to prepare a written order to memorialize the change and provide the notice Republic requires ahead of the effective date.
What happens next: staff will bring a formal order to a future meeting (the board discussed preparing an order for May 20) so Republic can complete the public‑notification steps required by the franchise agreement.
