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Hermiston council tables $8/month curbside recycling rate, asks for more data
Summary
After extensive questioning about equity, opt-outs and implementation, the Hermiston City Council voted 6–1 to table adoption of an $8-per-month curbside recycling fee so staff and the hauler can supply additional information about penalties, low-income options and service details.
Hermiston — The City Council on Nov. 10 paused action on a proposed $8 monthly curbside recycling fee after a lengthy presentation and extended questioning from council members.
City staff presented Resolution 2397, which would add a $8-per-month charge to the master fee schedule for a 95-gallon recycling cart collected every other week. "The proposed rate is $8 per month," City staff representative Morgan told the council, explaining the charge would cover capital costs for trucks and carts and outreach tied to a state‑mandated recycling program enacted in 2021.
Sanitary Disposal, the region's hauler, described processing and depot plans for commingled materials and said some operational costs will be recovered through the fee. The hauler representative said industry margins typically run "on average between 8 to 12%," and said the fee primarily funds trucks, drivers and education, not just profit.
Councilors pressed staff and the hauler on key implementation questions: whether residents may opt out (staff said no — the state requires residential customers to have curbside recycling), how multi-family buildings would be served (300‑gallon containers are available), whether a second recycle cart will cost extra (the hauler said a second cart would be provided free), and what enforcement or incentives will encourage residents to actually recycle rather than pay and not use the service.
Equity concerns were central to the debate. Several council members cited the stated legislative intent that producers bear much of recycling costs and said passing an $8 charge to households feels like an unfunded mandate. Councilor Roberts pointed to reporting on Senate Bill 582 and warned the city should not simply pass costs to ratepayers without exploring subsidies or exemptions for low‑income residents. Staff said low-income rate adjustments could be considered in a future rate review but would require offsetting increases for other customers.
After more than an hour of questioning and public explanation, Councilor Hayward moved to table the resolution for approximately one month so staff could provide additional details on state penalties for noncompliance, options for subsidized rates, exact cart specifications, and implementation timing; the motion passed 6–1, with Councilor Kelso opposing.
What happens next: Staff will return with the requested information and proposed language for any low-income adjustments before the council votes on the ordinance. The fee will not be charged until service begins and the trucks and carts are placed into operation.
