Plano Public Works gives overview of fleet, waste and compost programs

Public Works leaders provided the City Council a departmental overview that outlined core operations, capital and service responsibilities, and several ongoing programs.

Abby Owens introduced the overview and said the department would return with a second presentation in May. Andrea Park, assistant director of Public Works over community services, described the department’s structure and programs. "We have approximately 2,500 pieces of equipment that [fleet services] are responsible for maintaining," Park said, and noted the fleet team includes 29 technicians and nine office staff.

Park said the water and sewer operating budget is just under $185 million, most of which covers purchase and treatment. She also reviewed environmental waste services: the city serves about 87,000 homes, provides weekly trash and biweekly recycling, manages commercial waste contracts and a green‑business program, and runs Texas Pure, a regional yard‑debris diversion and composting program. "We're keeping it out of the landfill at about 50,000 tons a year," Park said, describing operations at the Custer Road transfer station and the Melissa composting facility.

Council members praised Public Works. The deputy mayor pro tem thanked staff for steady maintenance work and noted the city’s effort to avoid deferred‑maintenance backlogs seen in neighboring jurisdictions. The city manager highlighted that the compost program recently reached cost‑recovery and now generates modest revenue to support the program.

What happens next: staff will return with additional Public Works briefings in May and will answer follow‑up questions about specific projects and the rate study for water and wastewater transfers.