Union County approves 2.7% solid waste service fee rate increase

By on Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

UNION COUNTY – During a regular commission meeting on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the Union County board of commissioners officially approved a 2.7% rate increase for residential solid waste services provided by Waste Pro. This rate increase translates to an approximate $0.48 monthly increase for a typical residential service or about $0.24 per collection.

The increase was split between two resolutions, “Resolution 2025-01: In the Matter of a Resolution Updating Fees for the Solid Waste District On-Route Collection Service Provided by Waste Pro” and, “Resolution 2025-02: In the Matter of a Resolution Updating Fees for the Solid Waste District Transfer Site Operated by Waste Pro.” In practice, the fees will manifest via the aforementioned cost and rate increases. 

Costs necessitating the increase, as cited by Waste Pro, include (but are not limited to):

  •  Labor challenges, particularly CDL drivers
  • The implementation of an in-house training program, including a drug screening
  • The Family and Medical Leave Act necessitating a larger labor pool
  • An anticipated 5% increase in labor costs
  • Cost of replacing older equipment with new emission compliant equipment
  • Abiding by Oregon’s electric truck mandate
  • 5% increase in the 10-year contract with Baker Sanitary Landfill
  • Increased insurance costs
  • Projected 20% increase in liability and property insurance premiums 
  • Limited number of insurance providers limiting negotiation of competitive rates
  • Declining recycling market prices
  • Replacement of the transfer station’s garbage compactor (which is nearing the end of its service life)

Ron Larvik, who presented the rate increase proposal to Union County Commissioners, mentioned that frequent, smaller, increases in the fees are generally preferential to infrequent but potentially significant fee increases that may be separated by years.