O'Fallon Plans to Look For Ways to Improve, Not Sell Environmental Services Department

The approved a resolution at Thursday's meeting that will put in motion the hiring of a consultant to audit the city’s trash and recycling services.

A directed staff to issue a request for qualifications to hire a consultant. That person would analyze the assessed value of the Environmental Services Department and develop a request for proposals to potentially use for bidders in the sale of the department.

An exloratory step

At Thursday’s City Council meeting, members voted 7-2 to approve an amended resolution submitted by Ward 2 Councilman Jim Pepper. The resolution will allow staff to explore hiring a consultant, but clarifies the objectives are to evaluate the service and examine opportunities for improvement in the department.

Voting against the resolution were Councilmen Jeff Schwentker, Ward 4 and Bill Gardner, Ward 1. Voting for the resolution were Rose Mack and Jim Pepper, both of Ward 2; John Haman Jr. and Richard Battelle, both of Ward 3; Bob Howell, Ward 4 and Mike Pheney and Mark Perkins , both of Ward 5. Councilman Rick Lucas, Ward 1, was absent.

Taking another look

In October, O’Fallon’s Public Works Commission and Advisory Green Council .

Several residents spoke against the selling of the city's trash and recycling services during the public comment portion of the meeting on Thursday.

Mike Nunnery said he didn’t support any “shape, form or fashion of a sale” and hoped to see the city look at ways to enhance the service and find it’s total value.

Jim Frain said many residents were confused and were hearing different versions of the plan for the trash and recycling services and asked the council to make it clear to residents what their intentions were with the department.

Ward 3 Councilman Jim Haman, Jr. proposed to amend the resolution to include the words “no intent to sell” to be clear. Pepper seconded the motion.