O'Fallon environmental services projects steady budget, cites recycling participation gains

The Public Works Advisory Committee heard an update Oct. 15 on O'Fallon's Environmental Services proposed 2026 budget and results from a tour of the St. Peters recycling facility.

Jim, an Environmental Services staff member, told the committee that the city's single-stream recycling rollout has lifted single-family participation to about 45 percent. He said September tonnage was about 317 tons and that higher participation has begun to reduce trash disposal tonnage. Jim said contamination remains a concern but that drivers and staff are catching contaminated loads.

The proposed 2026 budget is largely status quo, Jim said, with an overall increase of about 4.5 percent from 2025. He identified the primary driver of that increase as single-stream recycling processing fees that were added this year. Capital requests include routine purchases of carts and lids (the department historically budgets about $180,000 annually and cut approximately $100,000 in 2026 because of inventory from the single-stream rollout), replacement trucks (two scheduled this year) and a proposed request for two yard-waste employees and a truck and a part-time customer service representative; those staffing requests are proposed and not yet approved.

Jim also reported grant funding tied to the recycling program: about $450,000 has been received so far with a remaining payment of roughly $45,000—6,000 expected in 2026, for an approximate total grant package of $496,000.

Committee members asked clarifying questions. James Myers confirmed the 45 percent participation rate covers single-family homes (duplexes and other multifamily participation were not counted in that figure). Members also discussed past drop-off sites that attracted non-city commercial loads and noted those earlier volumes inflated impressions of local participation. George Robin said some drop-off containers paid very little when hauled (about $40), which made them less valuable despite appearing full.

No formal action was taken on the Environmental Services budget during the committee meeting; the presentation served as an informational review and to surface follow-up items for council and budget staff.

Ending: Committee members thanked staff for arranging the recycling-facility tour and for the budget summary; no citizen comments were offered during the meeting.