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Siuslaw News Wednesday, June 11, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 24 • 134 years

Vikings clinch fifth state title WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

It was practically a photo finish at the 3A OSAA Track and Field Championships, but when the dust settled, it was Siuslaw’s boys who had their nose across the line first, beating out Burns by just one point to secure their fifth championship. Head Coach Chris Johnson has been coaching at Siuslaw for a long time—30 years —and even after multiple state championships, the thrill of taking home another one can’t be beaten. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and it doesn’t get old. Certain ones are more exciting than other ones. This one, it’s really hard to explain it,” Johnson said. Although Siuslaw entered the championships May 29-30 as a favorite and confident in their ability to claim the title, Burns and Valley Catholic proved to be tough competition See VIKINGS, Page B1

The 2025 Siuslaw Vikings Track and Field team atop the podium. Courtesy photo Becky Holbrook

Council approves public safety fee By TONY REED Siuslaw News

Customers are provided a cart for recycling and a separate bin for glass. Carts and bins will be picked up on the curb on the same day as your garbage. Be sure to keep the carts at least 3 feet away from the mailbox and 3 feet away from each other. Cart wheels face away from the road. Customers are asked to “Keep it Clean” and only place items that are found on the recycling guide in the cart.

Changes coming to local recycling By TONY REED Siuslaw News

Starting July 1, customers using County Transfer and Recycling (CTR) will see some changes regarding recyclable items and services in Florence and the surrounding area. Some may recall that on Jan. 1, 2022 the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act was approved, promising to update Oregon’s recycling system to create an innovative system that works for everyone. While the law requires packaging producers to share in the responsibility of effective management of their products after use, it will also prompt residents to change some practices regarding how they prepare materials for recycling. Brian Enochian, CTR Site Manager in Florence, and Britte Kirsch, EMAC (Environmental Management Advisory Committee) chair,

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

started a campaign in early June to educate the community of the upcoming changes, particularly those that will affect the average household. Kirsch noted that a change was also made to the City Solid Waste Management code, to reflect the pending changes. Information will be sent out to residents by mail, as well as door tags, flyers and new decals that will be affixed to recycling carts.

NEW MATERIALS Some previously-prohibited items will now be allowed in recycling bins, namely, black plastic planter pots. Containers that held items like butter, yogurt and cottage cheese are now allowed in the recycling bin, but their lids are not. Enochian explained that the thin lids fall through machinery and are blown about by wind during transfer. Those lids should go in the garbage

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B8-9

instead. Screw-on lids like bottle caps are allowed, as long as they are firmly screwed onto the container. “If they cannot screw on where they cannot fall off, they have to go in the garbage,” Enochian said. “Any plastic jug or jar or bottle or bucket or tub that you buy that comes with a product inside… All of the product manufacturers are paying for this so we are accepting their materials for recycling.” Kirsch noted that essentially any plastic smaller than 2 inches by 2 inches should go in the garbage. “No prescription pill bottles or small things are allowed,” Kirsch added, “so the 2x2 measurement is important.” Recyclable materials in bins should not be placed inside plastic bags for any reason, See RECYCLING, Page A7

After the Florence City Council voted to adopt a Public Safety Fee on June 2 to maintain and sustain staffing at Florence Police Department. Justification for the new fee is, by no means simple, and was the result of several meetings by the council, budget committee and city staff. Assistant City Manager Megan Messmer said the city budget committee and council have held work sessions and meetings in April and May to

discuss how to fill the funding gap related to public safety. Messmer explained how property taxes work and the differences between Oregon and other states, saying property taxes have been severely restricted by measures 5 and 50 in Oregon. “Passed in 1990, measure five sets limits on the amount of tax levy for 1000 of a property’s real market value,” she said. “Five dollars worth of every $1,000 worth of real estate market value goes to See FEE, Page A8

Council adopts City budget CITY OF FLORENCE

The Florence City Council voted to adopt the approved 2025-27 City of Florence Budget on Monday, June 2. The City’s budget for this biennium (July 2025 through June 2027) balanced and totals $77,118,300, and includes levying the City’s permanent tax rate of $2.8610 each fiscal year of the biennium. The Budget goes into effect on July 1, 2025. City Staff presented the budget message on May 5, 2025, and the City held two Budget Committee meetings on May 12th and May 14. These included public hearings

and the chance for community member interaction. The 2025-27 Biennial Budget was prepared to address the adopted City Council Goals consistent with the adopted 2025-27 Work Plan. Florence Mayor Rob Ward stated, “I was pleased that both the Budget Committee and the City Council all worked together through the budget process and voted to approve the budget that was adopted. With this budget, our City remains on a solid financial footing.” City Manager Erin Reynolds stated, “You will find that the proposed budget enables the See BUDGET, Page A9

1870 Hwy. 126, Suite A • PO Box 3040, Florence, OR