Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Tax Spending topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Solid Waste District adopts 2026 budget; county to cover added cost for new litter‑cleanup position
Summary
The board approved a 2026 budget that includes a proposed residential officer to run a new litter cleanup program; the estimated cost for that position rose to $113,003.49, and county officials agreed to cover a $23,003.49 difference for 2026.
The Vanderburgh County Solid Waste Management District on a voice vote approved its proposed 2026 budget, which contains two notable new expenses: funding for a residential officer to run a new litter‑cleanup program and increased contractual services to include tree planting.
District staff told the board the grants and subsidies line in the proposed budget showed $90,500 for the residential officer position but that the actual cost had risen because the person who would fill the job is a 20‑year union employee requiring family insurance. “The actual amount of the cost of this position has gone up to a $113,003.49,” a staff presenter said. The county offered to pay the $23,003.49 difference from the work‑release user fee fund for 2026, and the board proceeded on that basis.
Staff also raised the contractual‑services line to $293,000 to include money for the tree planting program so the district would not need to go annually before county council for an appropriation. The transcript shows the district raised expected tipping‑fee revenue to $500,000 (three‑year average) and budgeted about $13,000 for interest.
Board members discussed timing for the litter‑cleanup program and whether crews could work in winter months; staff said Sheriff Noah Robinson indicated a program start as soon as the van arrives and hoped for an October start. The board approved the 2026 budget by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Votes at a glance (all approved by voice vote; mover/second and individual tallies not specified in transcript): - Approval of minutes from 07/15/2025 — motion carried. - Grant agreement for work‑release transport van ($65,450) — approved; staff to sign contract. - Agreement with Bur Oak Tree Services for fall tree plantings (about $29,000) — approved; maps/species provided. - Agreement with TruGreen Commercial for ash‑tree treatments ($18,721) — approved. - Adoption of 2026 proposed budget (includes residential officer; contractual services increased to $293,000; expected tipping fees $500,000) — approved. - Approval of accounts payable vouchers — approved. - Approval of proposed 2026 meeting dates and change of start time to 08:15 — approved.
The presenter said she will take the approved budget to county council next Wednesday for their consideration.
