Vanderburgh County Solid Waste Management District Board Meeting – October 27, 2026

The Vanderburgh County Solid Waste Management District Board met at 8:30 a.m. on October 27, 2026, in Room 301 of the Civic Center Complex. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Board members approved routine items, held the annual public hearing on recyclable-material disposal contracts, received a litter patrol update from the Sheriff's Office, and discussed landfill entrance, tipping-fee, and Republic Services audit questions. The meeting adjourned at 9:03 a.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of meeting memorandum (August 25, 2026): The board approved the prior meeting minutes by unanimous voice vote.
• Approval of accounts payable voucher: The board unanimously approved the accounts payable voucher.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered testimony during the public hearing or at any other point in the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Public hearing – Resolution to contract with private entities for disposal of recyclable materials: Executive Director Jean Carlson explained that the district is required to hold an annual public hearing because it contracts with vendors for collection, transportation, and disposal of tires, electronics, and household hazardous waste. After opening the hearing and receiving no public comment, the board unanimously approved the resolution as printed.
• 2026 Keep Evansville Beautiful Grant Agreement: Jean Carlson recommended a $2,000 grant to Keep Evansville Beautiful to sponsor trash and recycling containers for community events, with the district's name on the containers. The board approved the grant agreement unanimously.
• Litter Patrol update: Sheriff Noah Robinson and Officer Bailey (referred to as 'Gene' in the transcript) presented third-quarter results for the litter patrol program, which began November 7, 2025, and uses work-release and community-service participants. Officer Bailey reported this quarter: 5.74 tons of trash picked up, 5,625 pounds recycled, 529 bags collected, 417 participants, and $621.65 returned to the program through recycling. Since 2025, the program has collected 3,724 bags, recycled 22,586 pounds, returned $2,404.97, kept about 11 tons from the landfill, and removed over 46 tons from county roads. The board's $120,000 annual funding covers Officer Bailey's position; the board also previously funded the van.
• Other Business – Landfill entrance and County Council referrals: The chair tabled further discussion of the landfill entrance and exit problem. Board members reviewed legal counsel Marco's memo responding to County Councilman Raven's three requests: raising tipping fees, using revenue for possible St. Joe Avenue road repair or reconstruction, and auditing Republic Services to confirm the district receives appropriate tipping fees. The board noted counsel advised that the district cannot require a Republic Services audit, but can request supporting reports; alternate daily cover exclusions from tipping fees also remain under investigation. Board members agreed to continue studying the issues, including higher tipping fees for out-of-county users and a possible St. Joe Avenue widening project; one board member noted tipping fee revenue is more for maintenance than road reconstruction.
• 2027 proposed meeting dates: Jean Carlson listed proposed 2027 meeting dates (January 5, February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11, July 13, August 24, October 12, and December 7, all at 8:30 a.m.). The board approved the dates and noted some may be canceled if agendas are light.
• Upcoming events and staffing: The board announced a household hazardous waste and tire collection on October 31, 2026, from 8 a.m. to noon, and an electronics recycling event on November 14, 2026, from 8 a.m. to noon, both at the former Robert Stadium parking lot. Jean Carlson announced that education coordinator Emma has left for a job in Florida and that she will hire a replacement with the same responsibilities. Commissioner Canterbury also announced that Commissioner Justin Elpers and his wife welcomed their ninth child, a boy named Harrison, the day before the meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the August 25, 2026 meeting minutes.
• Approved the resolution to contract with private entities for disposal of recyclable materials.
• Approved the 2026 Keep Evansville Beautiful Grant Agreement for $2,000.
• Approved the accounts payable voucher.
• Approved the proposed 2027 meeting dates.
• Agreed to continue evaluating tipping-fee changes, possible road-related uses of revenue, and Republic Services reporting, with no immediate action on those items.
• Tabled the landfill entrance and exit discussion for future action.