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Council approves exclusive solid-waste franchise with Republic Services
Summary
After two readings the Woodburn City Council passed Ordinance (Council Bill 3301) granting Republic Services an exclusive franchise, updating reporting, service standards tied to the Recycling Modernization Act, and setting a 5% franchise fee to the city general fund.
Woodburn City Council on May 11 adopted Council Bill 3301, an ordinance granting an exclusive solid-waste franchise to United Disposal Service Inc., doing business as Republic Services of Marion County/Woodburn, and updating the city's franchise rules to reflect recent state law and industry practices.
Jim Rouse, assistant city manager, and Assistant City Attorney Chris Kilmer described the rewritten franchise as a “complete rewrite” to modernize reporting, clarify city and franchisee responsibilities, and incorporate requirements of the Oregon Recycling Modernization Act. Kilmer told the council the ordinance includes updated reporting parameters, clearer allowable and unallowable expense definitions that feed rate-setting, and an enforcement and dispute-resolution structure. Kilmer said Republic will pay a franchise fee of 5% of gross revenues, which “goes into the city's general fund,” and cited FY 2024–25 franchise fees totaling $391,353 as stabilizing revenue for the city.
Cindy Rogers, Republic's municipal relationship manager, gave a brief annual report on 2025 service in Woodburn, including service to roughly 6,600 single-family homes, an increase of about 200 residential customers, and a drop in customer complaints from 31 to 21 year over year. Rogers noted the company's recycling depot on Front Street is free to Woodburn residents and businesses and that Republic is aligning operations with the new producer-funded recycling program. After no public testimony, the council conducted a roll-call vote and the ordinance passed.
