Roseburg Council Approves Roseburg Disposal Rate Increase

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Roseburg garbage and recycling customers will see higher service rates beginning next year after the Roseburg City Council approved a rate adjustment requested by Roseburg Disposal Company.

The new rates will take effect Jan. 1, 2027. Roseburg Disposal requested an approximately 8% increase, citing higher costs for fuel, employee wages and benefits, equipment maintenance, vehicle replacement, insurance and regulatory compliance.

For residential customers inside the city, monthly rates will change as follows:

• 40-gallon service will increase from $20 to $21.50.
• 60-gallon service will increase from $31.50 to $34.
• 90-gallon service will increase from $45.75 to $49.25.

Commercial service rates and several additional service fees will also increase. Roseburg Disposal is also standardizing portions of its commercial and residential rate structure as recycling service becomes available to more commercial customers.

The company’s last rate adjustment was approved by the council in August 2023 and took effect later that year.

Company Cites Independently Audited Financial Figures

Roseburg Disposal provided the city with an independently audited operating ratio as part of its request. The operating ratio measures operating expenses as a percentage of gross revenue.

The company reported a current operating ratio of 93.8, meaning operating expenses have outpaced the target range of 88 to 92 established under its Douglas County franchise agreement.

Roseburg Disposal said the approved adjustment is expected to bring that figure to approximately 90, the midpoint of the target range.

During the council discussion, Councilor Zack Weiss said that although he does not like rate increases, he appreciated the transparency Roseburg Disposal provided. Weiss also expressed support for targeting an operating ratio of 90 rather than 88, the lower end of the established range.

Other councilors also expressed appreciation that Roseburg Disposal has resumed recycling collection, noting the return of the service as a positive development for local customers.

In its request, Roseburg Disposal said it used the county’s operating-ratio method voluntarily to provide the City Council with an objective measure of the company’s financial condition. The city’s licensing agreement does not require the calculation.

Roseburg Disposal President Dori John said the locally owned company remains committed to maintaining dependable service while continuing to invest in employees, equipment and expanded recycling.

The adjustment will also increase disposal expenses for city departments that use Roseburg Disposal services. It will not change the company’s annual $60,000 solid waste management license fee paid to the city.