FY2024 Proposed Budget

 Staff continues to excel in meeting the demands of an ever-growing customer base with space limitations. The landfill, recycling center, compost facility and hazardous materials receiving facility regularly see over 350 customers per day in the busiest months.  Staff continues to expand options and promotion for the proper disposal of hazardous materials, including batteries. The program sees high usage which has resulted in a strong battery diversion program and a reduction in landfill fires.  Formed Green Iowa AmeriCorps (GIA) partnership to support for many of our programs including battery recycling program maintenance, outreach document translation, litter clean-ups, etc. which offers our division support while providing GIA team members with skill building and experience.  Recycling program usage continue to grow, including incoming yard waste and outgoing compost, despite limited space.  In-person and virtual education and outreach programming continue to adapt and grow to our community’s needs.  Three glass recycling locations were successfully added and are being serviced as part of normal operations.  Trash tonnages appear to be trending back down after a significant increase in FY21.  A landfill gas infrastructure expansion project was successfully completed in May 2022. Design for the next landfill cell was completed and construction will begin in spring 2023.  The site planning study continues with a consultant. Upcoming Challenges:  The cardboard compactor at East Side regularly needs attention on weekends when staff is not scheduled. Adding a compactor at the future new South Riverside Recycling Site will significantly improve efficiency and reduce truck miles but will increase need for weekend attention.  The timing of the purchase of new equipment continues to be a challenge.  Recycling truck 555 is due for trade-in 2025. The truck is the last of its kind in the fleet and consistently has maintenance and operational issues. We would like to start the purchase process as soon as possible; the different in cost between the existing truck and the upgrade to the semi-automated is about $100,000. Please consider the Solid Waste Surcharge Reserve (75750220) for funding for this upgrade.  Single stream recycling costs could increase significantly due to the timing of a contract extension and anticipated significant market changes.  Wood waste and wood chip volumes continue to remain a challenge. We will continue to explore options for wood waste other than wood chips.  Spatial restraints at the landfill limit potential new or expanded waste diversion, recycling and composting options.  Multiple projects are in the works for the next few years, including a new landfill cell, landfill traffic flow improvements and a new maintenance building. 246