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Residents urge Comal County to keep rural recycling sites as commissioners adopt 2025 budget
Summary
Hundreds of residents, nonprofits and recycling staff urged Comal County commissioners not to cut remote recycling drop-off sites during an extended public hearing on the 2025 budget; commissioners approved the budget after rejecting an amendment to restore three recycling positions.
Comal County commissioners adopted the county's 2025 recommended budget on Aug. 22 after a prolonged public hearing in which dozens of residents and nonprofit leaders urged officials not to eliminate rural remote recycling sites.
Residents and nonprofit representatives said closing the satellite recycling centers would push recyclables to county landfills or lead to increased burning and illegal dumping. Wes Leah Miller, executive director of Provisions in Bulverde, told commissioners his nonprofit’s once-weekly cardboard collection would jump in cost from about $888 per year to about $5,760 per year if remote sites are removed: “If we have to move to using the main recycling center, that will go up to $5,760 per year, in expense, to the nonprofit.”
Speakers emphasized access for seniors and low-income residents, volunteer-run food pantries that depend on nearby drop-off options, and the environmental consequences of diverting recyclables to the landfill. A recycling site employee described working the remote sites in heat and rain and warned layoffs would affect staff who “are there for the people.”
Commissioners debated budget amendments after public comment. The court approved an amendment to adjust the county's law-enforcement pay group (a D-pay group increase to raise starting deputy pay) but rejected a proposed $200,644.02 amendment to reinstate three recycling positions. Commissioner discussion focused on operational costs for aging recycling trucks and the long-term cost of disposal; commissioners also noted a new local materials-recovery facility (MRF) opening in New Braunfels could shorten hauling distances. The judge presented the recommended 2025 budget totals during the hearing, noting general fund expenditures of about $117.5 million and a recommended overall budget near $162 million.
After floor debate and votes, the court approved the recommended 2025 budget as amended. The record shows one failed motion to restore staff for rural recycling (motion failed for lack of majority), and then the final budget motion carried.
