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Grants Pass council passes sanitation sale consent, budget tweak, pay adjustment and property purchase; changes downtown restroom hours
Summary
In addition to approving a land sale for a 110-unit rental project, the Grants Pass council unanimously consented to the assignment of Southern Oregon Sanitation to Waste Connections, approved a FY26 supplemental budget item and a 2.71% COLA for nonbargaining employees, authorized purchase of a property at 124 NW Midland, and changed downtown restroom hours to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Grants Pass— The City Council on June 17 approved several routine and contested items in a single meeting alongside the large Allenwood Homes land-conveyance decision.
Southern Oregon Sanitation: Council voted unanimously to consent to a change in assignment after the company notified the city of an offer to purchase a controlling stake by Waste Connections US Holdings. Southern Oregon Sanitation representatives told council service operations and local staff will remain in place, and staff noted that rates and franchise terms remain subject to the citys franchise rules and the regional solid-waste agency process.
Budget and personnel actions: Council held a public hearing and adopted a supplemental FY26 budget adjustment related to the Water Funds special payments category (staff said this was required after a legal review tied to the citys 2026 water revenue bonds). Separately, the council approved an across-the-board cost-of-living adjustment for nonbargaining employees of 2.71% (estimated $225,000 annual cost, about $99,000 from the general fund). One councilor opposed the COLA vote.
Property purchase: Council authorized purchase of Unit M at 124 Northwest Midland for $350,000 from urban-renewal funds to complete an assembly of parcels the city has been acquiring for Midland-area revitalization.
Downtown restroom hours: Citing vandalism and safety concerns at downtown welcome-center restrooms, council amended a motion and approved changing downtown public-restroom hours to open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m.; staff said they will monitor outcomes and bring updates to council.
Votes at a glance (selected): - Allenwood development conveyance (5.7 acres to Allenwood Homes LLC): passed after mayoral tie-break (4-4, mayor voted to approve). - Southern Oregon Sanitation assignment to Waste Connections: unanimous approval. - Nonbargaining COLA (2.71%): approved (one dissent). - Purchase of 124 NW Midland, Suite M: approved. - Downtown restroom hours changed to 10 a.m. 6 p.m.: approved by majority.
The council closed the meeting after additional staff and mayoral updates.
