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Umatilla County commissioners press Waste Connections on 14% rate request and disputed pickup fees
Summary
County staff and commissioners questioned a Waste Connections request for a 14% rate increase for unincorporated Umatilla County and pressed the company over inconsistent billing for pickups on private or non–county-maintained roads; staff will verify historical billing and return the rate request to the board on June 3.
Bob Walder, the county’s community development staff liaison to the solid-waste committee, told the board that Waste Connections (doing business as Sanitary Disposal) requested a 14% franchise rate increase covering unincorporated Umatilla County, proposed to take effect July 1, 2026.
County and franchise officials debated why the company sought the increase. Waste Connections said it sought a 30% adjustment last year, was granted 15% and is now asking for 14% to address ongoing negative margins. "We were hemorrhaging money," a company representative said, describing a recent reroute and other operational changes intended to reduce overtime and improve efficiencies.
Why it matters: commissioners raised two central concerns — the cumulative scale of recent increases and how service-level distinctions affect billing. A commissioner said the combined increases over several years approach more than 50% and asked for supporting financial statements; another commissioner told the company, "you're telling people in Umatilla County that you're not gonna get the service, but you're gonna pay more," reflecting constituent complaints about outreach by the franchise.
On service levels, the dispute turned on whether collection down private drives constitutes an added premium service. Waste Connections said some customers on private or otherwise non–county-maintained roads had not been consistently charged for a premium "walk-in/drive-in" service and that correcting that gap affects their economics. County officials said the franchise agreement required continuation of prior service levels and urged the company to show where and when prior owners billed customers differently.
Concrete figures discussed: the company described base walk-in premium charges historically at about $6.92 a month; with a 14% increase, that item would rise to roughly $7.88. Several callers reported being told a $10 figure. Company staff said route redesign lowered unsafe overtime and estimated about $20,000 a month in overtime savings during the test period.
What the board asked for: staff will verify historical billing records (to determine who was billed for walk-in/drive-in service and when), check franchise-route expectations, consult counsel on whether the board can modify rate-schedule language tied to walk-in/drive-in fees, and bring a refined rate proposal and related clarifications to the full commission on June 3.
The board made no decision at the session. Commissioners directed staff to return with documentation on prior billing, the company’s financial detail supporting the 14% increase, and legal guidance on whether the board can alter service-level definitions in the rate schedule.
