Deschutes County approves rate increases for waste haulers, effective July 1

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners voted June 24 to approve board order 2026-024, authorizing rate adjustments for franchise waste haulers and the county transfer operator. The changes become effective on billing cycles beginning July 1.

Jeff Merwin, Deschutes County Solid Waste director, explained the increases reflect several cost pressures and pass-throughs. "One to two percent of the rate increase is driven by our 5% tip fee increase at the landfill," he said, describing how landfill tipping fees flow through collection rates. Merwin said most franchise haulers negotiated a 5% increase for residential curbside waste and recyclables in unincorporated county areas; the county transfer operator sought a larger adjustment — about 11–12% — primarily for fuel, equipment replacement (added trailers and associated depreciation) and personnel costs.

Staff told commissioners they reviewed the haulers’ cost submissions and that margins for the franchise operations generally fell in a roughly 9–12% range; staff characterized the proposed adjustments as reasonable based on the materials provided. The recommended order also excludes the new $6-per-month co-mingled recycling service from the 5% increase (that service was adopted earlier and is billed separately). Co-mingled containers will accept cardboard, paperboard, tin and qualifying plastics; staff noted glass and certain oddball items (lids, film plastics, shredded paper) remain accepted only at transfer-station recycling centers.

The board opened a public hearing and received no oral or online testimony. A commissioner moved and seconded approval of the board order; the motion carried by voice vote with all present voting yes.

Next steps: County staff will finalize billing changes with franchise haulers and notify residents of the July 1 rate adjustment.