During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the proposed budget for the Sustainability Department and the refuse fund for fiscal year 2025, which is set at just over $26 million—an 8% decrease from the previous year. This reduction, amounting to $2.2 million, primarily stems from a decrease in capital expenditures within the waste and recycling division, as vehicle replacement funding from prior years is no longer necessary due to successful order placements.

The budget maintains the department's staffing level at 65 employees, with no new full-time positions requested. The waste and recycling division accounts for 90% of the budget, while the environment and energy division comprises the remaining 10%. To address rising operational costs, refuse collection fees are proposed to increase by 10%, expected to generate an additional $1.6 million in revenue. Projections indicate that further increases may be necessary in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

The environment and energy division is transitioning to rely more heavily on the general fund, with concerns about potential revenue shortfalls from landfill dividends and fund balances in the coming years. A one-time allocation of $230,000 for a pilot program focused on air quality incentives will not be included in the ongoing budget, as the program is set to launch this summer.

Additionally, a $100,000 allocation for environmental assessments and remediation is included in the non-departmental budget, managed by the sustainability department. Updates on various sustainability projects were also shared, including the ElekTron solar plant and initiatives aimed at achieving zero waste by 2040.

The meeting highlighted the importance of aligning budget allocations with the department's core functions and focus areas, with an emphasis on visualizing how program budgets support sustainability goals. Council members were encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed budget structure and its alignment with policy objectives.