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Council approves consent items including compost-grinding contract; staff says commercial mulch operation netted roughly $200K'$300K annually
Summary
The council approved consent agenda items 4— (minutes, bids, RFP, change orders) by a 7-0 vote. Council discussed compost/mulch operations: staff said contracting grinding and resale avoids capital and operating costs and that the compost operation generates roughly $1 million in revenue with net revenue of $200,000—30,000 in a typical year.
The Mesquite City Council approved consent-agenda items 4 through 11 on April 21 by a unanimous vote (7'0'00). Several consent items included bids, an RFP, and three change orders for ongoing projects.
Compost facility discussion City staff answered council questions about item 7 (compost/mulch operations). Staff explained the city contracts with a private vendor to grind brush, grass and yard debris; landscaping contractors can acquire bagged mulch for a fee while residents continue to receive compost and mulch free of charge. Staff said the city previously owned a grinder (about $300,000) that was expensive to maintain. Tony (staff) told the council the compost operation historically generates roughly $1,000,000 in gross revenue in a typical year; expenses (personnel and operating) run roughly $700,000'$800,000, leaving net revenues in the $200,000'$300,000 range. Staff also said the revenue and expenses were atypical in the most recent year due to storm-related workload that temporarily increased revenue.
Budget oversight comments Councilmember Elizabeth Rodriguez Ross suggested examining nonessential city services (such as contracted herbicide spraying or commercial mulch contracts) before cutting core services such as libraries; she recommended exploring alternatives including municipal purchase of mulching equipment to increase revenue capture if commercially feasible. City Manager Cliff Kahele noted the grinding contract reduces capital and operating costs and helps divert material from landfills, saving landfill fees.
Vote Motion to approve consent items 4'— carried 7''—or and 0 against.
Ending Council requested continuing budget-level reviews of services and contracts as part of upcoming budget discussions; staff agreed to provide detailed information to directors and the council on potentially eliminable services and revenue alternatives.
