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Port Arthur begins FY2025-26 budget workshop; council prioritizes solid-waste hires and equipment
Summary
At a special Aug. 19 workshop, Port Arthur city staff presented a draft FY2025-26 budget and highlighted a preliminary recommendation to add 19 solid-waste positions, equipment orders expected by December, and an EDC fund balance in excess of $16 million.
Port Arthur City Council convened a special budget workshop on Aug. 19, 2025, to begin review of the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget, with most substantive discussion focused on staffing and equipment for the solid-waste department.
The draft materials presented to council included a preliminary recommendation to authorize 19 new positions in solid waste, equipment that city staff said has been ordered, and projections for several other funds. "Trash and garbage has been a major problem," Council member Doucet said during the discussion, pressing for the hires and for training to align with equipment delivery.
City finance director Lynette (Lynn) Boswell told the council the Economic Development Corporation is currently balanced, with a fund balance "in excess of $16,000,000" and that the budget detail handed to council covers general, enterprise, special revenue and EDC funds. Boswell also said transit has a request for one authorized personnel position.
City staff described the solid-waste plan as phased but ready to move faster if council directs it. The city manager said equipment currently on order includes five garbage trucks and four pieces of trash equipment and added, "we should have all the equipment by December." Staff said the hiring recommendation could be phased over two years but that the council may approve the full complement of 19 positions when it adopts the budget.
Council members pressed for the budget to include salaries and benefits for the 19 positions so the hires can be trained and ready when trucks arrive. Doucet said the hires should be timed so new workers can "train so when equipment arrive they can work." Staff noted that some vehicle operators must hold commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), and that recruitment and training plans (including using local CDL training programs) will affect how quickly the department can fill all slots.
Council also asked about landfill operations tied to solid-waste revenue. Staff said the city has stockpiled material and, based on conversations with the landfill manager, has enough stockpile for roughly 10 years. Staff noted a pending request-for-proposals process for a new cell/sale at the landfill that could increase revenues once completed. Equipment to extend landfill life — including a tub grinder — has been ordered and is part of the equipment delivery expected by December.
Other budget points mentioned briefly: the finance director outlined page numbers for fund detail in the distributed packet, and staff said some funds presented at the workshop are balanced now (staff presented debt service, enterprise funds including solid waste and Pleasure Island, special revenues, internal services and the EDC). Council member Doucet requested a detailed capital improvement plan and a clearer breakdown of increases and decreases from the prior year; staff said those items and the larger budget items will be discussed in subsequent workshops in September.
The workshop closed with the council adjourning by motion; there were no formal budget votes taken at the session.
Ports, agencies and programs referenced in the workshop materials and discussion included the city's solid-waste operations, landfill operations, the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), transit, and the certificate-of-obligation projects previously approved by council. Staff said they will return with the final solid-waste study, a hiring plan tied to equipment delivery, and additional budget detail at upcoming workshops.
