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Wednesday February 11, 2026 | Volume 151, Issue 6
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Dallas axes 3% waste fee increase By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor
the 2026 fair,” Ray said. “But I don’t speak for the county. It’s their decision. In theory, it’s the end of our current budget. They have not done the 2026-27 budget yet. But I’ve been told we most likely won’t be in it.” “I don’t want to be chairman of a board that closes a fairgrounds,” he added. “We’d be the only county in the state that doesn’t have one.” When asked specifically what the county’s expenditures are to keep the fairgrounds open, Ray turned the mic over to county administrator Greg Hansen. He explained that the current
In a long-delayed decision, the Dallas City Council voted Feb. 2 to reject Republic Services’ requested 3% increase to the solid waste management rates. Instead, the council agreed to no increase now and reevaluate the company’s actual costs mid-year versus project costs and decide at that time whether a rate increase is merited. Republic Services had originally brought forth their rate increase request in March of 2025, but the city council balked at making a decision at the time without more information on the company’s operational costs. The City Council requested information on several of the rate factors. Republic Services was able to finally provide a full slate of financials in November, which included: • The refuse rate index (RRI) which shows the consumer price index, and disposal rates for Coffin Butte landfill and the Pacific Region Compost (PRC). • Rate Comparison Chart for other Republic Service Client Cities • Dallas Historical Rate Comparison Chart • Explanation of Cause for Disposal Rate Increases • Schedule of Direct Expenses • Statement of Income • Breakdown of residential cart sizes in Dallas Republic spokesperson Julie
See FAIRGROUNDS, page A8
See WASTE, page A8
PHOTO BY DAVID HAYES
Fair Board President Tim Ray addresses nearly 200 concerned citizens who attended a work study session Feb. 7 to learn about the dire future of the Polk County Fairgrounds if more funding is not made available.
County fairgrounds faces closure in 2026 By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor
Nearly 200 county residents learned Saturday at a Fair Board work session that unless the community shows a commitment to the Polk County Fairgrounds, it faces a potential closure June 30. In addition, if that commitment does not translate to passing an operations levy in November, the fairgrounds could still shutter for good Dec. 31. Board President Tim Ray outlined for the attendees within the fairground’s main building the unfortunate truth that reduced funding can no longer keep pace to maintain
an aging and crumbling infrastructure. “In essence, due to decreased federal funding and the state budget slowly squeezing the county budgets, our county budget continues to shrink to the point where now they are not comfortable allowing it to go now much lower,” Ray said. “Unfortunately, fairground operations take about $300,000 out of the general fund. The reality is the county may have to close without additional operation costs.” The additional funds would come from a four-year operations levy. For the purpose of discussion, at the work study session the fair board worked
on numbers generated from a 10 cent to 13 cents per year $1,000 valuation. The most dire need, electrical replacement, would take place over the first two years being the most costly at about $700,000. Ray said replacement would also take time for turnaround to get replacement equipment. Other issues the levy would address include asphalt replacement, a new maintenance shop, new HVAC and the development of an amphitheater by year four. Ray said all those needs down the line mean nothing when the fair’s current budget runs out June 30. “Hopefully, the county will support us through August and
Local grad rates follow, stray from state By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor
Dallas High School followed state trends in its graduation rate increasing last year, while Central experienced a slight decline. According to state data released Jan. 29 by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE), the Class of 2025 achieved Oregon’s highest high school graduation rate ever, with 83 percent of students earning a diploma on time. That represents 1,546 more graduates than last year and surpasses the previous record of 82.6%, set by the Class of 2020. Dallas stayed ahead of statewide numbers, graduating 86.8 percent of its senior cohort, up from 85.8 the previous year. Meanwhile,
IN THIS ISSUE
Central continues to lag behind the state graduation rate, dipping a percentage point last year to 77.3 percent from its previous year of 78.4 percent. Dallas High School principal Tim Larson said his staff is very pleased with the graduation results and with the continued positive trend. “Keeping pace with the statewide increase reflects the intentional work of our staff and students and our shared commitment to ensuring every student is supported through to graduation,” Larson said. He added his school’s results don’t happen by accident. “They are the outcome of strong relationships between student and staff, early FILE I-O PHOTO
See GRAD, page A8
Natasha Simms and Fionnguala Lynch graduate last year from Falls City High School.
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