Astoria council approves Recology rate adjustments, asks company to propose low‑income assistance

The Astoria City Council on June 16 approved Recology Northern Oregon’s requested adjustments to curbside collection and transfer‑station rates and directed the company to propose a low‑income assistance program the council can adopt.

Recology government relations manager Dan Blue told the council the company seeks a 2.1% collection services rate adjustment that tracks the recent CPI change; he said that translates to about $0.70 per month for a 32‑gallon curbside customer and about $1.17 per month for customers in the larger 90‑gallon cart. Recology also requested a 7.3% increase for the Astoria transfer station. Dan Blue and operations manager Katie Hardesty explained the transfer‑station increase primarily reflects adding a full‑time supervisor and new equipment; Recology said most of the county’s collected material goes to the Astoria transfer station and that the station’s license agreement (in place since 2013 and running through 2030) sets an operating‑ratio target and a 4.5% license fee to the city.

Hardesty noted that a common self‑haul customer in the 102–401 lb range would see a $2.20 per‑load increase under the transfer‑station proposal and that a pass‑through tip fee for yard debris (Trails End) is $26.50 per cubic yard.

Councilors pressed Recology on regional allocation and why Astoria’s projected revenues rose more than neighboring service areas; Recology said the allocation model ties to customer counts, labor hours, truck hours and tonnage, and that some growth and additional services in the Astoria area account for the difference.

During public comment, several Astoria business owners expressed concern about rising costs but also urged enforcement and reliable service; other residents asked about holding Trails End accountable for tip‑fee increases. Councilor Adams moved the resolution approving the rate changes and authorizing related modifications to the transfer‑station license agreement, and also added in the motion that Recology establish a low‑income collection program for the council to adopt. The motion passed on roll call (ayes recorded for mayor and councilors present).

What happens next: The new rates will be effective July 1, 2025 as reflected in the transfer station rate sheet Recology presented. Recology and city staff said they will follow up on the low‑income assistance program language for future council adoption and will return with any additional details requested by council.