Clatsop County work session: recycling rollout will add monthly charge for many rural households; commissioners seek franchise options

Assistant County Manager Monica Steele and Recology representatives told the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners at a work session that a statewide recycling rollout funded through the Recycling Modernization Act (RMA) will provide carts and a truck paid by the program, but not ongoing collection costs.

Recology government-relations manager Dan Blue said the RMA system-expansion funds will cover 100% of upfront capital — the new truck and roughly 4,000 recycling carts — but operational expenses for the curbside service (driver, fuel, insurance and related route costs) will be reflected in a modest monthly charge. "The servicing of those containers" will be reflected as about a $6 per-customer monthly change for rural and suburban-rural households that receive the new carts, Dan Blue said.

The update matters because Recology currently shows a countywide curbside base rate of $26.25. Earlier proposals discussed a suburban curbside recycling rate of $33.71 (updated to $32.25 when recycling is implemented) and a rural residential rate that was proposed at $38.90 (updated to $37.57). Recology said the $32.25 recycling-inclusive rate will not be billed until carts are actually delivered and service begins; Recology estimates 3–4 months to manufacture and deliver the bulk order after approval.

Commissioner Courtney Banks pressed the board on equity and consent, saying many rural constituents who did not request recycling will nonetheless face the rate increase. "I was excited, but now I'm being told something different," she said, noting she had previously voted against the franchise agreement because she feared rate impacts for fixed-income rural households. Banks asked whether customers could opt out; staff and Recology said no opt-out is planned under the current franchise.

Commissioner Wakua suggested some households might reduce trash service frequency and downsize cans once recycling is available, potentially offsetting some costs. Recology said there are opportunities for customers who can downsize from a 90-gallon trash cart to a smaller cart and that subscription customers in suburban areas should see reduced bills once everyone receives standardized carts.

Monica Steele and county counsel indicated options remain for the board to revisit franchise details. County counsel (Anthony) agreed to review franchise terms and advise commissioners on whether and how the county could alter or exit the existing agreement.

Recology also described a customer-notification plan that includes individualized letters, FAQs for county staff, text messages and bill messaging. The company said a third-party financial review and annual reports will continue to be provided as part of the franchise-rate review process; the franchise allows a CPI-based adjustment up to 4% and a more formal rate review if operating ratios fall outside the allowable range stated in the franchise.

The board asked staff to return with additional legal and policy options; no formal vote or change to the franchise was taken at the work session.