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Home My WebLink About48-0928-26R STATE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY OF JEFFERSON A Resolution Amending the 2016 Jefferson County Solid Waste Management Plan to allow RESOLUTION NO. 4 8-0 9 2 8-2 6 R for a Curbside Low-Income Discount within the East Jefferson County UTC Service Area WHEREAS, on November 3, 2025, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) adopted a Level of Service (LOS) Ordinance for curbside recycling, which was codified in Jefferson County Code, Title 8, Section 8.10.045 Minimal level of service for residential recycling; and, WHEREAS,the LOS Ordinance requires that, "the collection company shall provide a low-income discount rate for qualifying residents, with qualifications and process for determining eligibility being mutually agreeable to the collection company and the county"; and, WHEREAS,adoption of a low-income discount program by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) requires amendment of our 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan(SWMP) to include the low-income discount program; and, WHEREAS, development of the 2016 SWMP was done with the full involvement of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee(SWAC) which included representatives of the City of Port Townsend; and, WHEREAS, discussions of a low-income discount have been part of regular and special meetings of the SWAC and joint SWAC and BoCC meetings in 2025 and 2026 with representatives of the City of Port Townsend in attendance; and, WHEREAS, Public Works has provided formal notice to the City of Port Townsend of the intention to amend the SWMP per the UTC; and, WHEREAS, the contract between the City of Port Townsend and Murrey's Disposal Company, Inc. for the provision of municipal solid waste collection services within the City limits currently includes a curbside low-income discount rate; and, WHEREAS, amendment of the 2016 SWMP to include a curbside low-income discount for collection services within the East Jefferson County UTC Service Area will have no effect on collection service or fees within the City of Port Townsend; and, WHEREAS, Public Works has made such revisions to the 2016 SWMP as shown in the attached Appendix A; and, WHEREAS, Public Works will include the amended sections as part of the larger SWMP update currently in process and expected to be completed in 2028; and, WHEREAS,adoption of this resolution will allow Murray's Disposal Company,Inc., also operating as Olympic Disposal,to petition the UTC to amend the East Jefferson County UTC service area tariff to include a low-income discount for curbside waste collection; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, STATE OF WASHINGTON: Section 1. Whereas Clauses Adopted as Findings of Fact. The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the above "Whereas"clauses as Findings of Fact. Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this resolution is to amend the 2016 Jefferson County Solid Waste Management Plan consistent with RCW 81.77.195 to incorporate a low-income discount for curbside collection service within the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) East Jefferson County service area. Under RCW 81.77.195, upon request of a county the UTC may approve rates, charges, or services at a discount for low-income senior customers and low-income customers, as adopted by the County in its comprehensive solid waste management plan(2016 SWMP). Expenses and lost revenues resulting from these discounts must be included in the company's cost of service and recovered in other customers' rates. Eligibility will be determined through a process established by the county, including the eligibility process described in Resolution No. 21-0420-26R, or any subsequent county action modifying that process. Section 3. Adoption of Changes to the 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan. This resolution amends the 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan to incorporate a low-income discount program for curbside waste collection as was adopted by Resolution 21-0420-26R. The county recognizes that implementation of any discounted rate is subject to UTC review and approval of applicable tariff revisions.The amount,structure,eligibility process,and effective date of any discounted rate may be established or modified by county action and implemented through applicable UTC tariff processes, without requiring a further amendment to the 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP),provided the program remains consistent with RCW 81.77.195 and other applicable law. Amendments to the 2016 SWMP to incorporate a low-income discount program for curbside service are included in Appendix A and are as follows: Executive Summary; Table ES-1; Table 6-2; Table 10-1, and; Table 10-2. Section 4. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase of this resolution or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this resolution or its application to other persons or circumstances shall be fully valid and shall not be affected. Section 5. Effective Date. This resolution is effective on September 28, 2026. Section 6. SEPA Categorical Exemption. This resolution is categorically exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-11-800(19). SIGNATURES NEXT PAGE APPROVED and ADOPTED this 62k-day of 5e "h4G,2026. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF SEAL: COUNTY COMMISSIONERS O- iAitiL: rF angy dley-Nollette, District 1 I, \I- ..c....„..- H,I., a i Eise our, District 2 Al„MIN.Mp4h, +`'''-FERSOAIN, OMMISSio, O ��' �\ 41" �� if � -+_ : : erton, District 3 c t� a 0.o ..... ••%(0�.�'0 %WA HitiGol APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST: 6,, r 6ai( a -c.io�i2 Ca • 'i n GallawadCMC Date Phil C. Hunsucker Date a_ E'— C1 of the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney APPROVED and ADOPTED this 2L-day of &p fII4k`026. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF SEAL: COUNTY COMMISSIONERS *apAL" r►. dley-Nollette, District I °P0 I t...„--:---.. H; s i Eise hour, District 2 I •IV a iO4s 400 iLR Z' erton, District 3 4 , 'ASHtN ,nor 4 "m"'sso APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST: �/' / c With Permission ({C k � eremiah B.Luther,DPA 09-29-2026 • i n GallawalCMC /37i Date ilip C. Hunsucker Date Cl of the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney APPENDIX A: 2016 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENTS Executive Summary; page ES-6: ADDITIONAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION RECOMMENDATION WC2) Implement the low-income solid waste collection rate program adopted by Jefferson County Resolution No. 21-0420-26R. The program provides a$10.00 discount for eligible residential curbside garbage and recycling customers in the East Jefferson County service area, subject to Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approval of applicable tariff revisions. Executive Summary; page ES-8; Table ES-1: Table ES-1, Implementation Summary for Recommendations, continued Recommended Activity Lead Agency Priority Annual Cost Funding Source 04) Support methods to divert pet PW L Staff time Tipping fee waste as appropriate Solid Waste Collection WC1) Examine benefits of a PW M Staff time Tipping fee collection district pp g — WC2)Implement the low-income solid PW H Staff Time UTC- waste collection rate program adopted regulated by Jefferson County Resolution No.21- customer 0420-26R rates per RCW 81.77.195 Transfer and Disposal T&D1) Conduct improvements to PW H Significant* Tipping fee Quilcene Drop Box T&D2) Conduct improvements to PW M Significant* Tipping fee JCSWDF T&D3) Prepare analysis of waste PW M Staff time Tipping fee export options pp g Special Wastes SW1) More education for disposal of Health/PW H $5- 10,000 Grants sharps SW2) Designate JCSWDF and Quilcene sites as staging areas PW H 0 NA for disaster debris SW3) Develop a disaster debris PW H Staff time Tipping fee strategy SW4) More education for MW Facility PW/Health H $5- 10,000 Tipping and safer disposal options fee/grants SW5) Identify additional staging PW M Staff time Tipping fee areas for disaster debris SW6) Develop a disaster debris PW M $50 — 100,000 Grants or management plan other** SW7) Collect additional MRW at PW M $5- 7,000 Tipping fee JCSWDF and Quilcene site SW8) Encourage retailers to promote Tipping proper disposal of PW/Health M $5— 10,000 pharmaceuticals fee/grants SW9) Support product stewardship PW M Staff time Tipping fee for pharmaceuticals pp g SW10) Investigate options for drop- PW/Health M Staff time Tipping fee off of pharmaceuticals in City pp g SW11) Support vessel de- PW M Staff time Tipping fee construction facility at the Port pp g Administration and Public Education A&PE1) Continue public education PW/Health H Existing cost Tipping fee/grants A&PE2) Explore funding options PW M Staff time Tipping fee A&PE3) Continue education for PW/Health M Up to $75,000 Grants** commercial recycling A&PE4) Conduct periodic rate PW M $25,000 Tipping fee reviews pp g A&PE5) Explore benefits of PW M Staff time Tipping fee establishing a collection district Chapter 6: Waste Collection; page 6-6; Table 6-2: Table 6-2 Ratings for the Waste Collection Alternatives Consistency Cost- Overall with Goals Feasibility Effective- Rating Alternative ness g A, Mandatory waste collection M L-M M M B, Discounts for low-income H H H H seniors C, Disposal district M L L L Rating Scores: H — High, M — Medium, L — Low Chapter 6: Waste Collection; page 6-7: 6 . 7 . Low-Income Solid Waste Collection Rates On April 20, 2026, the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution No. 21-0420-26R, titled "A Resolution Adopting a Low-Income Discount for Curbside Collection of Garbage and Recyclables." The resolution adopts a low-income discount program for eligible curbside garbage and recycling collection customers in the East Jefferson County service area. This Solid Waste Management Plan is amended to include the low-income discount program adopted by Resolution No. 21-0420-26R, as may be amended, revised, or superseded by future action of the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners. The program applies to eligible residential curbside garbage and recycling collection customers in the East Jefferson County service area served by Murrey's Disposal Company, Inc., also operating as Olympic Disposal. Eligibility will be determined through the process established by the county, including the eligibility process described in Resolution No. 21-0420-26R, or any subsequent county action modifying that process. The purpose of this amendment is to incorporate a low-income discount program for curbside collection into the comprehensive solid waste management plan consistent with RCW 81.77.195. Under RCW 81.77.195, upon request of a county, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission may approve rates,charges, or services at a discount for low-income senior customers and low-income customers, as adopted by the county in its comprehensive solid waste management plan. Expenses and lost revenues resulting from these discounts must be included in the company's cost of service and recovered in rates to other customers. The county recognizes that implementation of any discounted rate is subject to Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission review and approval of applicable tariff revisions. The amount, structure, eligibility process, and effective date of any discounted rate may be established or modified by county action and implemented through applicable Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission tariff processes, without requiring a further amendment to this Solid Waste Management Plan, provided the program remains consistent with RCW 81.77.195 and other applicable law. Additional amendments to the Solid Waste Management Plan to incorporate the low- income discount program for curbside service are made to the Executive Summary; Table ES-1;Table 6-2; Table 10-1, and; Table 10-2 per Appendix A. An updated Solid Waste Management Plan will include Resolution No. 21-0420-26R as an Appendix. Chapter 10: Implementation Plan; page 10-8; Table 10-1: Table 10-1 Implementation Schedule for Recommendations Table 10-1, Implementation Schedule for Recommendations, continued Recommendation 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 04) Support methodsto divert pet waste \ \ \ \as appropriate \ \ \ \ \ \\\\ Solid Waste Collection WC1) Examine benefits of a collection 7 district for implementing universal waste collection in Jefferson County / / / /A'A WC2) Implement low-income solid waste collection rate program adopted by 2026 Resolution No. 21-0420-26R Transfer and Disposal T&D1) p Conduct improvements to Quilcene Drop Box as funding is available \ \ ,\ >N T&D2) Conduct improvements to JCSWDF based on updated facility assessment j V and Solid Waste Master Plan j , j T&D3) Startanalysis of waste export X options Special Wastes SW1s cops education for disposal of \\\ \\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\ 1 rSW2) The JCSWDF and Quilcene Drop Box are designated staging areas for X disaster debris SW3) Develop a disaster debris strategy r // / // 40 SW4) More education for HHW Facility and < \ \ C safer alternatives \\\� \\\\\\ \ \\\ SW5) Identify additional staging areas for Of disaster debris � rlrirliSW6) Develop a disaster debrisC management plan if funds are \ \ available \ \ \ SW7) Collect additional types of MRW at j 7 the JCSWDF and Quilcene Drop Box j 1 4 1 /j SW8) Encourage retailers to promote \ C C •ro•er disposal of .harmaceuticals \\\\\\\\\\\ \\.,\\ \ SW9) Support product stewardship for j jif j j j j pharmaceuticals as appropriate / / j j SW10) Investigate options for drop-off i C C C C program for pharmaceuticals in Cit k\ ..\\\\ ..\\\ ,\\\.\\\\ ...\.\\\\\\..j pr j/ j jSW Supportvessel de-construction tion facilityat the Port as appropriate Administration and Public Education A&PE1) Continue public education \\ ,��%%/ \ A&PE2) Explore funding options / / A // � . E3) A&Pcommer cinue al ecyycl ngon for A&PE4) Conduct periodic rate reviews X A&PE5) Explore benefits of collection X district Chapter 10: Implementation Plan; pages 10-11; Table 10-2: Table 10-2, Implementation Responsibilities for Recommendations, continued Jefferson Health Waste Recommendation County City Dept. Haulers Others 04) Support methods to divert pet waste X as appropriate Solid Waste Collection WC1) Examine benefits of a collection X district WC2) Implement low-income solid waste Jefferso collection rate program adopted by n Resolution No. 21-0420-26R Primary County responsib PUD for Primary ility for eligibility responsibil tariff verificati ityfor implemen on tation adoption consiste and and plan customer nt with amendme billing Resoluti nt subject to 0 2 No. UTC 0420- approval 26R Transfer and Disposal T&D1) Conduct improvements to Quilcene Drop Box as funding is X available T&D2) Conduct improvements to JCSWDF based on facility X assessment and updated Solid Waste Master Plan T&D3) Prepare analysis of waste export X options Special Wastes SW1) More education for disposal of 0 X Drug sharps stores SW2) The JCSWDF and Quilcene Drop Box are designated staging areas for X disaster debris SW3) Develop a disaster debris strategy X SW4) More education for HHW Facility X O and safer alternatives SW5) Identify additional staging areas for X disaster debris SW6) Develop a disaster debris management plan if funds are X available SW7) Collect additional types of MRW at X the JCSWDF and Quilcene Drop Box SW8) Encourage retailers to promote X O Drug proper disposal of pharmaceuticals stores SW9) Support product stewardship for X pharmaceuticals as appropriate SW10) Investigate options for drop-off X O program for pharmaceuticals in City SW11) Support vessel de-construction X facility at the Port as appropriate Administration and Public Education A&PE1) Continue public education X X ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS c,,i,STA'f�pn 1I6 n STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY Southwest Region Office PO Box 47775, Olympia, WA 98504-7775 • 360-407-6300 August 7, 2026 Al Cairns Solid Waste Program Manager Jefferson County Department of Public Works 623 Sheridan Street Port Townsend, WA 98368 acairns@co.jefferson.wa.us Re: Jefferson County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan Amendment to only add low-income curbside rates Dear Al Cairns: Jefferson County must amend your current comprehensive solid waste management plan for your proposed low-income curbside recycling rates to become effective. An e-mail correspondence forwarded to me between Lacy Kooiman (Department of Ecology) and Kristina "Kris" Irelan (Utilities and Transportation Commission) dated Thursday, July 30, 2026, states: According to RCW 81.77.195, Upon request of a county, the[Utilities and Transportation] commission may approve rates, charges, or services at a discount for low-income senior customers and low-income customers, as adopted by the county in its comprehensive solid waste management plan. While you were on leave, Eric Kuzma, Jefferson County Public Works Director, and Samantha Harper, PE, contacted Lacy Kooiman and me to discuss a plan amendment on August 3, 2026. Typically, when a solid waste management plan is amended, The Department of Ecology requires any new solid waste statutes be incorporated into the amendment. For example, requirements under the new organics management laws. However, this correspondence is to allow an amendment to only add low-income curbside rates. My rationale is as follows: • Efficiency: You have already initiated planning at your solid waste advisory committee (SWAC) for your 5-year comprehensive solid waste management plan update. A longer amendment process to the current plan, would likely delay the larger plan update, which will include all the newly required statutes. Page 1 of 2 • Equity: The Department of Ecology, in collaboration with the Utilities and Transportation Commission, supports your vision to implement these first-in-the-state low-income curbside rates as quickly as possible. Equity is at the forefront of all three of our agency's missions and/or strategic plans. • Accountability: I am aware from attending your SWACs that establishing these low- income curbside rates were part of a strategic decision to remove unstaffed drop-boxes from rural areas of the county. We want to support you and the residents of Jefferson County in that successful transition. We look forward to reviewing your amendment to add the new low-income curbside rates. I applaud Jefferson County's continued triple bottom line approach to solid waste management. Best regards, Digitally signed by Blake Nelson Date:2026.08.07 18:08:15-07'00' Blake Nelson (he/him pronouns) WA Department of Ecology Solid Waste Management Program Southwest Region Section Manager 360-791-4755/ blake.nelson@ecy.wa.gov CC: Eric Kuzma,Jefferson County Samantha Harper,Jefferson County Jaclynn Simmons, Utilities and Transportation Commission Kris Irelan, Utilities and Transportation Commission Lacy Kooiman, Department of Ecology Diana Wadley, Department of Ecology Page 2 of 2 Cc (. 1 1 COUNTY OF JEFFERSON STATE OF WASHINGTON IN THE MATTER OF: A RESOLUTION TO ) ADOPT THE 2016 SOLID WASTE ) RESOLUTION NO. 03-17 MANAGEMENT PLAN,FINAL DRAFT AS A ) JEFFERSON COUNTY PLANNING DOCUMENT) AND APPROVING ITS IMPLEMENTATION ) WHEREAS, RCW 70.95.110 requires the Jefferson County Solid Waste Management Plan to be maintained in a current condition,and WHEREAS, the City of Port Townsend has opted to cooperate in the preparation of the Jefferson County Solid Waste Management Plan, as required by RCW 70.95.080, so that it includes the City of Port Townsend's solid waste management program, and WHEREAS, the Jefferson County 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan shows long-range needs for solid waste handling facilities and programs throughout the County, including the City of Port Townsend, for the next twenty years and projected cost impacts for the next six years, and WHEREAS, the Final Draft 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan has been completed in cooperation with the Jefferson County Solid Waste Advisory Committee and the City of Port Townsend, and WHEREAS, the Preliminary Draft 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan was made available for Public Comment and was widely distributed to potentially interested parties in March 2016, and a public meeting to take comments on the Preliminary Draft was held at the Tri Area Community Center on April 27th, 2016 with proper prior notification, and WHEREAS, the Final Draft 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan incorporates all public review comments received by the closing date of the Public Comment period, including the public meeting held on April 27th, 2016, and WHEREAS, the Final Draft 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan has received a S EPA Determination of Non-Significance, and WHEREAS, the Jefferson County 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan was adopted separately by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend, Resolution 16-053, and WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was held by the Jefferson Board of County Commissioners on January 3`d, 2016 to accept comments on the adoption of the Final Draft 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan. IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that,until it may be further amended or revised, the Final Draft 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan be adopted as the Jefferson County planning document for the solid waste program,and that the effective adoption date shall be January 3,2017. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Kathleen Kler, ber `T 4,. y l �i •, , N§,cJ f 1 ; r' «, Kate Dean, ber a • SEAL' Davi . Su ivan,Member ATTEST: (11 Carolyn cry AVekt-r Deputy Clerk of the Board 4..4Yr 4 STATE OF WASFIINGTON ' DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY P.O. flux 41777.5 • Olympia, W►shington '!ll;l14.777.5 • (360) d07.6 101 February 17, 2017 Mr. Tom Boatman, Solid Waste Coordinator Jefferson County Department of Public Works PO Box 2070 623 Sheridan Street Port Townsend,WA 98368 RE: Jefferson County Solid Waste Management Plan July 2016 Dear Mr.Boatman: Congratulations on completing another round of the planning process for a current solid waste management plan. This letter is to inform you that Ecology has approved Jefferson County's Solid Waste Management Plan July 2016(Plan) submitted for final review and consideration on January 5,2017. Ecology's approval is for a solid waste management plan only. All moderate risk waste(MRW) elements in the Plan are recognized as meeting the required elements in a solid waste plan to identify existing conditions and is not being accepted as an update to the existing local hazardous waste plan. Jefferson County may want to begin a review of the local hazardous waste plan to ensure it is current with existing local conditions related to hazardous waste planning and implementation. As you know,Ecology administers a financial assistance program to help implement some programs identified in a current plan:solid or hazardous waste management. Jefferson County's revised Solid Waste Management Plan is the result of commendable efforts by local government staff,the Solid Waste Advisory Committee,consultants,private industry, haulers and disposal firms, and government officials. Ecology looks forward to successful implementation of the Plan, and the County's continued progress with environmentally sound waste handling practices, and waste reduction and recycling projects. If you have any questions,please feel free to contact me at (360)407-6381 or email at plyo461@ecy.wa.gov. Mr. Tom Boatman February 17,2017 Page 2 Sincerely, . (67 76L eter Y. Lyo Southwest Regional Section Manager Waste 2 Resources Program cc: Tami Ramsey,Ecology Ann LaRue,Utilities&Transportation Commission Tim Marra,Department of Agriculture STATE OF WASHINGTON County of Jefferson In the Matter of Adopting An Ordinance Establishing Minimum Levels of Service for ORDINANCE NO. 10-1 1 n3-9s Curbside Collection of Recyclables for l nincorporated East Jefferson County and Adopting New Section 8.10.045 to Chapter 8.10 Solid Waste Regulations of the Jefferson County Code(JCC) WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Department of Public Works (Public Works) has provided recycling services to unincorporated east Jefferson County residents for over 30 years; and WHEREAS, Public Works has contracted with Skookum Contract Services for over 30 years for the collection of recyclable materials from staffed and unstaffed drop off locations across unincorporated east Jefferson County and for the processing, marketing and delivery to buyers of these materials; and WHEREAS, this service includes the processing, marketing and delivery to buyers of recyclable materials collected as part of the City of Port Townsend's mandatory curbside recycling program, which is provided by the city's contract waste collection company; and WHEREAS, thirty-seven other Washington Counties have transitioned to what is known in the industry as "single" or "dual stream" collection of recyclable materials because this collection method is more efficient and gains a higher participation rate; and WHEREAS,Jefferson County maintains unstaffed drop off locations for recyclables other than glass: and WHEREAS,unstaffed drop-off locations attract illegal dumping which has increased from 26 tons in 2022 to 41 tons in 2024 adding additional cost to the recycling program; and WHEREAS, RCW 70A.205.045 requires that each county and city comprehensive solid waste management plan includes a contamination reduction and outreach plan (CROP) that addresses reducing the contamination of materials accepted as part of the recycling program; and WHEREAS, a 2022 audit of materials from drop-off locations found the contamination rate ranging between 3%and 61%; and WHEREAS, additionally, RCW 70A.205.045 does not provide funding for CROP implementation and Jefferson County spent an approximate $70,000 dollars in 2021 on reducing the contamination rate by limiting accepted plastics to bottles and jugs only; and 1 WHEREAS, despite these efforts, the CROP campaign produced no reduction in contamination rates and high contamination rates further diminish the commodity value, effectively increasing the program costs; and WHEREAS, drop-off locations are for residential use, but are frequented by businesses and contractors, which generates frequent customer complaints about over-full bins and requires additional servicing of the sites; and WHEREAS,over the years,program costs have been partially offset by 20%due to a grant from the Department of Ecology; and WHEREAS, program costs have also been offset by an additional 26% due to revenue generated from the sale of recyclables; however, market values for recyclables decreased drastically with the closure of the Chinese market in 2017 and have not recovered; and WHEREAS, current recycling program costs, after grant subsidies and commodity sales revenue,are estimated at$326,709 annually; and WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Solid Waste Management Plan prioritizes landfill diversion activities as Reduction, Reuse and Recycling in descending order of priority, nevertheless,the recycling program accounts for 75%of all landfill diversion activity costs; and WHEREAS, funding for the recycling program is derived from the fees charged for garbage disposal and the amount of subsidy for the program can be described as$13.89 of every per ton transaction; and WHEREAS,the Recycling Services Agreement with Skookum Contract Services expires on March 31, 2026, and WHEREAS, a Request for Proposals for the continued operation of the current recycling program is likely to produce higher contractor fees that reflect the high rates of inflation that have been experienced in the last several years and which are ongoing;and WHEREAS,the continued operation of the current recycling program would require either an increase to the tipping fee or a reduction in other services or a combination of both in order to improve the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund cash reserve balance; and WHEREAS, Public Works operates several other programs that would be impacted significantly or ended entirely in order to continue subsidizing the current recycling program, including but not limited to the Quilcene Drop Box Facility and eliminating the Solid Waste Education program, Household Hazardous Waste collection events, the low-income discount program,the employment program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the transfer of funds to Public Health in support of responses to illegal dumping, and, even then, Public Works would still not have sufficient funds to continue subsidizing the current recycling program; and 2 WHEREAS, only 903 or 7.4% of an estimated 12,162 residences outside of Port Townsend currently subscribe for curbside recycling; and WHEREAS,rates for curbside collection of garbage and recyclables are set by the WUTC through a"tariff'; and WHEREAS, the current WUTC tariff for mid-level service for every-other week collection of garbage and recycling is currently $31.91 per month; and WHEREAS, Public Works will require a low-income discount rate within the WUTC tariff: and WHEREAS, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill (E2SSB) 5284 was passed in the 2025 State legislative session and this bill obligates single use packaging producers to pay for recycling programs but does not obligate single use packaging producers to pay for recycling programs until January 1, 2030, and even then, only up to 90%of program costs; and WHEREAS, Public Works has reviewed these issues at regular SWAC meetings on July 25, 2024 and September 26, 2024, special SWAC meetings on January 23, 2025 and October 1, 2025, at joint SWAC and BoCC meetings on March 26, 2025 and on April 29, 2025, and BoCC Workshops on July 21,2025,and September 2, 2025,and WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Solid Waste Management Plan includes as a goal: "Promote the use of private industry to carry out the components of the solid waste system, if feasible"; and WHEREAS,Public Works recommends recycling services be provided to unincorporated east Jefferson County residents through curbside collection by subscription;and WHEREAS, Public Works recommends it provide a single drop off area located behind the scales at the transfer station for customers who are unable to receive curbside service and that those customers will be charged the current minimum fee or at the current per ton rate, if the load exceeds the minimum charge weight; and WHEREAS, Public Works recommends it continue to provide a south county drop off area at the Quilcene Rural Drop box for customers who are unable to receive curbside service and to adjust the fee schedule to include this service; and WHEREAS, Public Works recommends the adoption of a Minimum Level of Service Ordinance in order to effect the recommended changes to the recycling program; WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Board of County Commissions held a public hearing on November 3,2025,and having carefully considered all of the information and public testimony before it, find it is in Jefferson County's best interest to adopt Public Works' recommendations regarding the current recycling program; 3 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY,STATE OF WASHINGTON: Section 1. Whereas Clauses Adopted as Findings of Fact. The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the above"Whereas"clauses as Findings of Fact. Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this Ordinance is to establish minimum levels of service for curbside collection of recyclables by the collection company operating under a Washington Utilities and Transportation tariff in unincorporated east Jefferson County. Section 3. Adopting New Section 8.10.45 JCC. Chapter 8.10 JCC Solid Waste Regulations shall be amended by adding new section 8.10.045 JCC Minimal Level of Service for Residential Recycling,as reflected in Exhibit A. Section 4. Severability. If any section,subsection,sentence,clause,phrase of this Ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this Ordinance or its application to other persons or circumstances shall be fully valid and shall not be affected. Section 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective on April I, 2026. Section 6. SEPA Categorical Exemption. This Ordinance is categorically exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-11-800(19). (SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON THE NEXT PAGE) 4 APPROVED and ADOPTED this 54 day of WI ,2025. JE FERSON COUNTY BOARD OF SEAL: ♦ • TY OMMISSIONERS ``,,,,,,,,l,l,,,,,,,,I, - 0 A °�FoR..�N C`o„ He -nhour,Ch.• • ,�,0 Miss,o 2--- r A� t cn : 5,� `�i ; '$!g s herton, 1 ember o /`ilk - ', WA S\- ,,, . �"r Du dd ey-Noltette, Member KITES ii* /4 APPROVED AS TO FORM: 7 /Al --, ., II 3 6 Car, allaway,CMC Date Philip C. Hunsuc er ///O-0,5 CI he Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney 5 EXHIBIT A Adding New Section 8.10.045 JCC Minimal Level of Service for Residential Recycling (1) Purpose and intent. (a) The purpose of this section is to define minimum levels of service for curbside recycling collection,which shall be provided to households serviced by the solid waste collection company (collection company)operating in the unincorporated areas of east Jefferson County. (b) It is the intent of the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners to: (i) Establish residential recycling programs as an integral component of the collection of solid waste, incorporating Washington State's goals as set forth in RCW 70A.205.005,to make source separation of waste a fundamental strategy and to make recycling at least as affordable and convenient to the ratepayer as mixed waste disposal; (ii) Increase diversion of recyclables from single-family and multi-family residences in Jefferson County; (iii) Make recycling easier and more convenient for residents through use of efficient collection systems; (iv) Retain low-cost strategies to encourage participation;and, (v) Encourage the private sector to develop and operate the recycling facilities that are needed to process and market recyclables collected in unincorporated east Jefferson County. (2) Definitions. (a) "Automated recycling container or cart," means a wheeled, plastic receptacle designated for the collection of recyclables and designed to be picked up and emptied by mechanical means into the company's collection vehicle. (b) "Automated collection"means a route serviced by a vehicle with mechanical means to pick up garbage and recycling at the customer's residence. (c) "Commodity credit"means the amount of recycling revenue returned to residential customers from the sale of recyclable materials collected through curbside residential programs, as required by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. 6 (d) "Jefferson County"or"county"means Jefferson County, Washington, a municipal corporation and a political subdivision of the State of Washington. (e) "Recyclable materials"or"recyclables"means those solid wastes that are separated for recycling or reuse and thus diverted from landfill disposal. (f) "Recycling rate"means the percentage rate achieved by dividing the total tonnage of recyclables by the sum of the total tonnage of waste disposed added to the total tonnage of recyclables. (g) "Set-out counts" means the number of residential customers that set-out their recyclables containers every collection day;or a monthly average of the set-outs as compared to total number of customers. (h) "Residence" means any residential dwelling receiving solid waste and recycling collection service where the owner or tenant is billed for solid waste collection service to the dwelling as an individual unit. This may include, but is not limited to, duplexes, mobile homes within mobile homes subdivisions, or attached single- family structures such as townhouses, row houses,or triplexes. (i) "Single-stream collection" means the collection of designated recyclables commingled in one covered,wheeled container,collected with automated or semi- automated trucks. (j) "Solid waste collection company" or "collection company" means a privately owned solid waste and recycling transportation company or "hauler", which provides collection services in designated areas of Jefferson County and is regulated by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission under the provisions of chapter 81.77 RCW. More than one collection company may be collectively referred to as "collection companies," or "certificated haulers" and means every person or his lessees, receivers, or trustees, owning, controlling, operating or managing vehicles used in the business of transporting solid waste for collection and disposal for compensation over any public highway whether as a "common carrier"or as a"contract carrier." (k) "Source separation" means the separation of different kinds of solid waste at the place where the waste originates. (1) "Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission" or "WUTC" means the State agency which regulates privately owned solid waste collection companies who provide collection service to the unincorporated areas under a G certificate. (3) Minimum levels of residential curbside recyclables service. (a) The minimum levels of service for residential curbside collection in unincorporated east Jefferson County shall include the following: 7 (i) Single-stream collection service. (ii) The collection company shall provide every-other-week (EOW), single- stream curbside collection of recyclables to all residences that subscribe to automated curbside solid waste service as a bundled service, provided that access to the residence by the service vehicle is feasible. (iii) The collection company shall provide the curbside recycling collection with all combinations of automated solid waste cart service approved by the WUTC for their respective certificated areas. (iv) Residents in automated service areas may request curbside recycling service without having solid waste service at a rate set by the WUTC. (v) Residents will maintain the choice of whether they want to participate in recycling collection, regardless of whether they are participating in solid waste service. (vi) The collection services to the customers shall be on the same day as garbage collection,unless the collection company can demonstrate to the county that an alternative collection schedule is necessary because of geographic or development limitations, such as road width or density, that require an alternative truck system or collection schedule. (A) When proposing an alternative schedule, the collection company shall identify the following information: (I) Location of the area affected; (II) Alternative collection schedule; and, (III) Reasons supporting the alternative. (B) When considering an alternative schedule,the county shall consider the following information: (I) Whether the number of customers affected is minimized; (II) Whether program participation is adversely affected; (III) Whether there is substantial cost savings due to the alternative schedule; (IV) Whether an alternative collection schedule can result in higher levels of participation and recycling;and, (V) Any other information presented by the collection company. (b) Recycling collection containers. The collection company shall comply with all of the following requirements for collection containers: 8 (i) The collection company shall provide one wheeled container to each of their residential customers signed up for curbside collection; (ii) The collection company shall provide residential customers with a choice of either an approximate 95-gallon cart of an approximate 65-gallon cart with no difference in monthly service fees between the sizes of recycling containers; (iii) All containers shall contain, or have attached, information about the proper preparation of materials and the name and contact information of the certified collection company. The information may be stamped into the container, on a waterproof sticker, a combination of both, or some other alternative, which provides the customer with sufficient permanent information to be able to contact the collection company. If stickers are chosen,the collection company shall provide replacements to all customers in the WUTC service area when normal aging and weather exposure has made them unreadable; (iv) Replacement of the containers necessitated by normal use or by container damage due to the collection company's negligence shall be the responsibility of the collection company. Replacement necessitated by container damage or loss due to the customer's negligence shall be at the customer's expense. (c) Exceptions to collection alternatives for restricted access, storage situations, and residents with limited mobility. The collection company shall have a process in place to work cooperatively with residents to tailor the single-stream recycling collection service to meet the needs of residents in situations where one or more of the following situations exist: (i) Private driveways are inaccessible or incapable of withstanding the weight of collection trucks and collection of recyclables or garbage cannot be provided under the approved drive-in rate tariff for such situations; (ii) Due to long, steep, winding driveways, a resident would have difficulty in moving a large recycling container, manually or by vehicle, from their house to the public access road for collection; (iii) A resident could not provide a storage place to keep recycling or garbage containers at the end of the driveway close to the public access road; (iv) Truck access or container size is in any way otherwise restricted due to density and road width or where outside container storage is limited by homeowners' association covenants; or 9 (v) Residents with special needs, such as physical infirmity or physical limitations,with no able-bodied person living in the residence to set out the container, and need reasonable accommodation. (d) The collection company shall offer alternatives that suit their collection system or the particular customer's limitation. The alternatives may include any of the following: (i) A drive-in tariff rate and a walk-in tariff rate for those situations where a recycling truck can negotiate the long-driveway and where the driveway can support the weight of the truck; or, (ii) Any other solution mutually agreed to by the customer and the collection company. (e) Monitoring alternative service options.The collection company shall maintain data on number of requests for an alternative collection system, a description of the problem and of the chosen solution, or how the problem was otherwise resolved, and will provide an annual report to Jefferson County. No individual personal identifiers (such as customer name or specific address) shall be included in this report. (4) Centralized drop-off site. Nothing in this section shall either prevent or require the collection company from developing a centralized drop-off site in neighborhoods,to be maintained by the collection company, where such access problems are clustered or where covenants prevent outside storage of containers. (5) Materials collected. The following recyclable materials,at a minimum,shall be collected from residences when properly prepared and meeting the material description as specified below. (a) Cardboard. Corrugated cardboard and Kraft paper, including unbleached,unwaxed paper with a ruffled("corrugated") inner liner. (b) Metal cans.Tin-coated steel cans and aluminum cans,excluding aerosol spray cans. (c) Mixed-waste paper. Clean and dry paper, including but not limited to: glossy papers, magazines, catalogues, phone books, cards, laser-printed white ledger paper, windowed envelopes, paper with adhesive labels, paper bags, nonmetallic wrapping paper,packing paper, glossy advertising paper,chipboard such as cereal and shoeboxes, juice boxes, and milk-style cartons of the refrigerated variety (nonrefrigerated products contain aluminum linings). 10 (d) Newspaper. Printed groundwood newsprint, including glossy advertisements and supplemental magazines that are delivered with the newspaper. (e) Plastics. Bottles and jugs#1-2,including but not limited to: primarily polyethylene terephthalate (PET - #1) such as soft drink, water, and salad dressing bottles, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE - #2) such as milk, shampoo, or laundry detergent bottles, including any bottle with a neck narrower than its base. (6) Glass collection. The collection company shall provide a minimum of two(2)drop-off locations within the WUTC service area for marketable glass containers and these locations should provide relative service equity considering the service area and population centers. (7) Optional materials. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a collection company from exceeding the minimum requirements set forth above by collecting additional materials including, but not limited to, food waste,yard waste, scrap metal, glass, or other materials in the future. (8) Amending the list of required materials. Prior to proposing any amendments to the list of materials to be collected, the county will negotiate and mutually agree upon any proposed changes to the collected materials list with the collection company. (9) State accepted material standardization. Should the State adopt a standardized list of material types required for collection,such list will supersede the list included herein. (10) Recycling collection rates. The collection company shall request the WUTC approve a rate structure, which includes the costs to implement the modified single-stream residential curbside recycling program for all solid waste customers contained in the WUTC service area. The collection company shall include all of the following elements in the tariffs proposed to the WUTC: (a) A rate structure designed to provide customers with adequate options and incentives to reduce their level of solid waste collection service as a result of their participation in waste reduction and recycling programs; (b) The rates shall include the costs of the containers, stickers, collection equipment and staffing; (c) Collection rates should include a separate delivery service fee equal to or less than the replacement cost of the bins. This service replacement cost shall not apply to the first-time delivery of the container, or for the first-time delivery of a smaller 11 sized container, if the smaller size is requested by the customer; (d) Rates should include but are not limited to the collection company's costs for the mutually agreed upon coordinated public outreach program, monitoring set-out participation, and any other costs for the data reporting system required by the county; (e) The collection company shall capitalize and amortize the equipment costs as determined by the WUTC; and, (f) The col company shall provide a low-income discount rate for quali k residents,with qualifications and process for determining eligibility beintutua y agile to the cciitn co county. (11) Customer service responsibility and coordinated public outreach programs. (a) The collection company shall work with the county to develop and implement a coordinated public outreach program. (b) The collection company's customer service responsibilities shall include. but are not be limited to: (i) Notifications of new service availability, program sign-up, container delivery, bin stickers, explanation of rate structure, schedule of collection days and container replacement information; (ii) Delivery of containers within ten (10) days of a request for service with collection service beginning within thirty-five(35)days of a request; (iii) Contact information for the purpose of providing program information and accepting service complaints clearly shown on the collection equipment, included in all mailings,and on other publicity materials; (iv) A process to resolve participation problems, if access to the program is restricted due to impassable road conditions,other than those occasionally caused by severe weather situations. If the collection company deems the road conditions are regularly impassable by collection vehicles, the collection company will work with customers to determine a mutually agreed upon location for the collection of recyclables, preferably from the nearest roadway which is accessible by the collection company's collection vehicle; (v) Notification to both new and ongoing solid waste customers of different solid waste collection service options including cart sizes, frequency, and costs. The collection company shall notify solid waste customers of the above during phone calls, in billing inserts and special mailings, on their 12 website and during new service sign up procedures.The collection company will ensure that website is updated and links to county-specific information are working. The website shall also provide a link to the appropriate county webpage to provide residents with additional waste disposal and reduction information; and (vi) Maintaining a website describing the collection company's services,how to sign-up for the new program, how to resolve a service complaint, the availability of a low-income rate and eligibility requirement, and information about drop-off alternatives. (12) Reporting requirements for residential recyclables collection. (a) The collection company shall provide the county with regular and accurate reports of data on all residential recycling collection services as determined necessary by the county for evaluating the effectiveness of recycling programs. (b) Residential curbside recyclables collection program.At a minimum,annual reports will be provided by March 1st the next calendar year and shall contain the flowing data,broken down by each month and by certificated area,including but not limited to: (i) The number of residential solid waste collection customers subscribing to each level of garbage collection service; (ii) Aggregate tonnage of recyclable materials collected from residential customers per year; (iii) Recyclables collected per customer expressed as average pounds of recyclables generated per customer; (iv) Aggregate tonnage of solid waste disposed of from single-family customers; (v) Log of unresolved customer complaints with summary of measures taken to resolve any problems; (vi) Any percentage residue amounts or contamination problems reported by processing facilities if such data are available;and, (vii) Summaries of tons and value of single stream materials sold. (13) Annual coordinating meeting. Any contracted the collection company shall meet with the county's Department of Public Works representatives annually at a minimum to review program effectiveness, resolve 13 issues, and discuss any suggested changes to increase efficiency and participation in the curbside program. (14) Processing facilities. The collection company shall use processing facilities that have obtained all applicable local, state,and federal permits. (15) Disposal limitations. The collection company shall not, under any circumstances, dispose of marketable recyclables by landfilling or incineration except due to market disruptions and upon consent of the county's Department of Public Works. (16)County notification of WUTC tariff filings. (a) Whenever a collection company files a proposed tariff revision for solid waste and recyclables collection rates with the WUTC, the collection company shall simultaneously provide the county with copies of the proposed tariff submitted to the WUTC. (b) After tariffs are approved by the WUTC,the collection company shall immediately notify the county of the approved rates and the effective dates. (17) Commodity credit. (a) RCW 81.77.185 requires the WUTC allow a collection company collecting recyclable materials to retain up to fifty percent (50%) of the revenue paid to the collection company for the material if the collection company submits a plan to the WUTC that is certified by the appropriate local government authority as being consistent with the local government solid waste plan and that demonstrates how the revenues will be used to increase recycling. (b) Public Works shall review a plan upon submittal and determine consistency with the Jefferson County Solid Waste Management Plan and whether the plan will increase recycling rates. 14 STATE OF WASHINGTON County of Jefferson A Resolution Adopting a Low-Income Discount for Curbside Collection of Garbage and RESOLUTION NO. 21_-0420-26R (L; Recyclables WHEREAS, on November 3, 2025, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) adopted a Level of Service Ordinance for curbside recycling, and this was codified in 9.3 Jefferson County Code, Title 8, Section 8.10.045 Minimal level of service for residential 16-` recycling; and, WHEREAS, the Level of Service Ordinance requires that "the collection company shall provide a low-income discount rate for qualifying residents,.with qualifications and process for determining eligibility being mutually agreeable to the collection company and the county"; and, WHEREAS, while the Level of Service Ordinance pertains to recycling services, the collection company,Waste Connections,dba Murrey's Disposal Company, Inc., (Murrey's), would prefer to provide a low-income discount to both recycling and garbage collection services; and, WHEREAS,Public Works staff have worked with Murrey's to develop a process for the provision of this low-income discount;and, WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Public Utility District(PUD) provides a discount to its utility customers based on income up to 150%of the Federal poverty line; and, WHEREAS,the PUD has agreed to notify customers approved for its discount utility rates of the availability of a discount for Murrey's curbside garbage and recyclables collection; and, WHEREAS, Murrey's has agreed to provide a discount rate to its residential customers upon receipt of the PUD approval letter; and, WHEREAS, this customer vetting process will safeguard personal information provided to the PUD by its customers while providing both notice of, and barrier free access to, Murrey's discount program; and, WHEREAS, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has provided guidance on the process for adoption of the low-income discount within the UTC tariff that governs rates for customers within Murrey's service area; and, Q WHEREAS, Public Works staff and a Murrey's representative met with the BoCC on March 23, 2026, and presented three(3) levels of low-income discount and the forecasted impact to other rate payers in providing this subsidy; and, 0 r y WHEREAS, the BoCC selected the mid-range $10.00 discount rate as the preferred low-income discount to be applied to all types of garbage and recycling collection service options provided by Murrey's NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY,STATE OF WASHINGTON: Section 1. Whereas Clauses Adopted as Findings of Fact. The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the above"Whereas"clauses as Findings of Fact. Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this resolution is to: Adopt a low-income discount rate of$10.00 within the UTC tariff for the service area of East Jefferson County to be made available to all curbside collection customers who have been approved for the PUD's low-income discount program. Section 3. Severability. If any section,subsection, sentence,clause,phrase of this resolution or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this resolution or its application to other persons or circumstances shall be fully valid and shall not be affected. Section 4.Effective Date.This resolution is effective upon UTC rate approval and Tariff revision. Section 5. SEPA Categorical Exemption. This resolution is categorically exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-11-800(19). APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of A-p(l ( ,2026. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF SEAL: COUN Y COMMISSIONERS H ey-Nollette, District 1 o�Mfss�o �' � Hei i isenhour, District 2 •SEAL�' ��•. :o�; of a on, District 3 `'..O1 •WA SN" ,,,"'; ATTE : APPROVED AS TO FORM: ' (//2v L 6 Caro Gallaway, CM Date Philip C. Hunsucker Date Cler the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney r i WHEREAS, the BoCC selected the mid-range $10.00 discount rate as the preferred low-income discount to be applied to all types of garbage and recycling collection service options provided by Murrey's NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY,STATE OF WASHINGTON: Section 1. Whereas Clauses Adopted as Findings of Fact. The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the above"Whereas"clauses as Findings of Fact. Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this resolution is to: Adopt a low-income discount rate of$10.00 within the UTC tariff for the service area of East Jefferson County to be made available to all curbside collection customers who have been approved for the PUD's low-income discount program. Section 3. Severability. If any section,subsection, sentence,clause,phrase of this resolution or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this resolution or its application to other persons or circumstances shall be fully valid and shall not be affected. Section 4. Effective Date. This resolution is effective upon UTC rate approval and Tariff revision. Section 5. SEPA Categorical Exemption. This resolution is categorically exempt from the State Environmental Policy Act under WAC 197-1 1-800(19). APPROVED and ADOPTED this day of AT✓► t ,2026. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF SEAL: COUN COMMISSIONERS lie I ey-Nollette, District 1 •.•• 6EtS O N C ,, M,ssiti2 Hei Isenhour, District 2 SEAL ! � .. o of a on, District 3 ATTE : APPROV ' AS T FORM: 47/2/ Z( C Apn 24,2026 Caro Gallaway,CM Date Philip C. Hunsucker Date Clerk\ the Board Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Consent Agenda Request To: Board of Commissioners Josh Peters,County Administrator From: Eric Kuzma,Public Works Director Agenda Date: April 20,2026 Subject: Curbside Recycling and Garbage Collection Low-Income Discount Statement of Issue:On November 3,2025,the Board of County Commissioners(BoCC)adopted a Level of Service Ordinance(LOS)for curbside recycling,and this was codified in Jefferson County Code,Title 8,Section 8.10.045 Minimal level of service for residential recycling. The LOS requires that "the collection company shall provide a low-income discount rate for qualifying residents,with qualifications and process for determining eligibility being mutually agreeable to the collection company and the county". On March 23,2026,Waste Connections Site Operations Manager Joey Deese and Public Works staff met with the BoCC to discuss the work done in cooperation with the Jefferson County Public Utility District and the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission(UTC)to offer a low-income discount to qualifying residents. Waste connections provided three(3)levels of discounts for BoCC consideration as well as the forecasted rate increases to other curbside customers to provide the subsidy. The BoCC selected a$10 discount which would apply to both residential curbside and recycling collection for all service options. The UTC has indicated that a BoCC Resolution would allow the UTC to begin its work on adopting the low-income discount into the Tariff that governs rates in the East Jefferson County service area. Analysis/Strategic Goals/Pro's&Con's: The attached Resolution is ready for the BoCC's execution. Fiscal Impact/Cost Benefit Analysis: Waste Connections has provided the attached forecasted range of rate increases for curbside customers of between$0.21 and$0.95 per month necessary to provide the subsidy.However,actual rate increases cannot be known until after a minimum three-month period or until the number of qualifying customers is better understood and the UTC can analyze the financial impact on Waste Connections. Recommendation: Adopt the attached Resolution. Department Contact: Al Cairns,Solid Waste Manager x213 Reviewed By: iDe LI( 15�ia� Jos eters,County Administrator Date Jefferson County Low Income Rates Analysis Total Annual Estimated Rate Increase To Cover Subsidy Monthly Discount Subsidized 60 Gat 96 Gal 96 Gal Amount Cost 35 Gal Monthly 35 Gal EOW 35 Gal Weekly 60 Gat Monthly 60 Gal EOW Weekly Monthly 96 Gal EOW Weekly $5.00 $30,000 $0.10 $0.17 $0.28 $0.14 $0.20 $0.37 $0.18 $0.27 $0.48 $10.00 $60,000 $0.21 $0.33 $0.57 $0.27 $0.41 $0.73 $0.36 $0.54 $0.95 $15.00 $90,000 $0.31 $0.50 $0.85 $0.41 $0.61 $1.10 $0.54 $0.81 $1.43 Current Monthly Rates $11.33 $18.00 $30.82 $14.63 $21.97 $39.66 $19.26 $29.33 $52.28 Customer Count 101 843 1,226 51 1,024 1,041 13 315 382 *This analysis assumes 500 customers sign up for low-income rates.Actual qualification will change the rate impact. *Other rates, including commercial and other residential rates will also see increased rates to cover the low income rates. This table only shows the impact on residential regularly scheduled services *As a percentage of the 35-ga(week(y service rate: Discount Discount from a Amount 35 Gal Weekly $5.00 16% $10.00 32% $15.00 49% „� _ Department of Public Works 623 Sheridan Street Port Townsend,WA 98368 o Jefferson County, Washington 360-385-9160 Mr. Steve King Interim City Manager 250 Madison Street, Suite 2 Port Townsend,WA 98368 September 16, 2026 Re: Intent to Amend 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan Dear Mr. King, As you are no doubt aware as a participating member of the Jefferson County Solid Waste Advisory Committee(SWAC), discussions with SWAC at regular and special joint meetings with SWAC and the Board of County Commissioners in 2025 and 2026 have included the provision of a low income discount within the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission(UTC)tariff for curbside collection services within the Unincorporated East Jefferson County service area. Direction from the UTC is that adoption of a low income discount within the tariff can go forward after the Board of County Commissioners adopts the attached Solid Waste Management Plan amendments by Resolution. Public Works has scheduled this item to go before the Board of County Commissioners on September 21,2028. These revisions will have no effect on the City of Port Townsend's curbside collection program since it is outside of the bounds of the UTC service area. While there is no impact to garbage customers within the City of Port Townsend,a notice of intent to amend the Solid Waste Management Plan is in keeping with the long-standing cooperation between the City and County to provide these essential services. Please contact me with any questions or concerns with the Solid Waste Management Plan amendments. Sincerely, Eric Kuzma Jefferson County Public Works Director Attachments: Board of County Commissioners Agenda Request Resolution of Adoption of SWMP amendments Line-in/line out revisions of relevant SWMP sections Jefferson County Board of Commissioners Consent Agenda Request To: Board of Commissioners Josh Peters,County Administrator From: Eric Kuzma, Public Works Director Agenda Date: September 28,2026 Subject: 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan Amendment to allow for a Curbside Waste Collection Low-Income Discount Statement of Issue: On April 20,2026,the Board of County Commissioners(BoCC)adopted Resolution No.21-0420-26R.This resolution established a low-income discount for Murrey's Disposal curbside waste collection customers, whose rates are regulated within East Jefferson County service area by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission(UTC). While coordinating implementation of this low-income discount with Murrey's Disposal and the UTC, Public Works became aware of the requirement to formally amend our 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP). The Department of Ecology (ECY) recognizes that a full plan amendment process would unnecessarily delay UTC adoption of the curbside low-income discount rate and has offered an expedited amendment process. Analysis/Strategic Goals/Pro's& Con's: Staff has amended the 2016 SWMP as shown in the attached Appendix A,which the BoCC may adopt by Resolution. Fiscal Impact/Cost Benefit Analysis: Cost for Public Works is limited to staff time. Recommendation: Adopt the attached resolution amending the 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan. Note that any scrivener's errors and formatting irregularities will be corrected as part of the larger SWMP update process currently underway. Attachments: • Appendix A: associated 2016 Solid Waste Management Plan amendments • August 7,2026 letter from the Department of Ecology • Resolution No. 03-17(Adoption of Solid Waste Management Plan) • Ordinance No. 10-1103-25 (Adoption of Level of Service for Curbside Collection) • Resolution No. 21-0420-26R(Adoption of UTC Tariff Low-income Discount) • Notification to City of Port Townsend Department Contact: Al Cairns, Solid Waste Manager x213 Reviewed By: (j1/3 Josh Peters, County Administrator Date