Rota public works warns landfill operations strained; seeks repairs, staffing and grant support

Rota — The resident director for the Department of Public Works, George Atalik, told the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee during Rota’s FY2026 budget hearing that the municipality’s solid waste operations are struggling and need immediate maintenance funding, staffing adjustments and support to implement grants and permitting requirements.

Atalik told committee members the landfill’s water testing has been completed and that permitting applications are pending with the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality and other agencies, but that a key piece of heavy equipment is nonfunctional and parts and repair costs have strained local funds. “We’re still struggling, under the, the solid waste pay, landfill,” Atalik said. He later said the department has spent about $8,000 on parts so far and expects an additional roughly $4,000 for the mechanic’s work.

Why it matters: DPW’s testimony described operational shortfalls that the committee said risk noncompliance with permitting and environmental standards and could block implementation of a proposed recycling program should state law change the administering agency. Committee members urged the department to document funding requests and to coordinate with the…