New options presented for continuing Sturgis recycling

At last night’s city commission meeting, recycling once again dominated discussion during commissioner comments. What began as updates from commissioners on constituent feedback eventually shifted towards potential action.

City Manager Andrew Kuk proposed a new option, which drew interest from the commission.

“One option would be to treat recycling like trash service — the city could adopt an ordinance making it a utility, then go out to bid with a single hauler. That would lock us into providing recycling as a city service, much like electric or water, and it would be a long-term commitment,” Kuk said.

Kuk cautioned that he was not fully prepared to present details, but commissioners agreed by consensus to place the matter on the agenda for their next meeting.

“The commission has consensus to have city staff investigate options?” City Clerk Ken Rhodes asked.

“Yes,” commissioners replied.

Currently, an ordinance is the only remaining path to continue recycling after the program’s scheduled end on December 31. Other options were also discussed for the first time prior to Kuk’s comments.

Commissioners asked about the possibility of putting recycling on the November ballot. City Clerk Ken Rhodes explained that residents would have needed to file a petition by August 12, and while the commission’s deadline was a few days later, it has already passed, making the November ballot no longer an option.

Kuk and Commissioner Aaron Miller both shared letters from constituents urging the commission to keep recycling, and a resident spoke during public comment in support. Commissioner Justin Wickey reported that two of his constituent’s had contacted him in favor of ending the program.

Commissioner Jeff Mullins noted the limited feedback the city has received.

“We’ve had six or eight people here last meeting that spoke in favor, we’ve had seven or eight contact us, we’re talking 25 people. I wouldn’t feel comfortable making a change, charging everybody this amount, because we’ve heard from 25 people,” Mullins said.

Commissioner Aaron Miller, however, highlighted concerns about rising trash costs if recycling ends.

“Gary Nissley, who runs a local trash service here in town, told us that without recycling, the amount of trash people set out — and the size of the Toters they’ll need — will increase drastically. In my own family of six, our recycle bin is full every week, while our trash is just a couple of small bags. Most of what we generate goes into recycling, and if that ends, everyone’s trash bill will go up,” Aaron Miller said.

The commission will continue the discussion at its next meeting, with a formal review of options to keep the program, particularly the utility model presented by Kuk.

Absent from Wednesday’s meeting were Vice Mayor Richard Bir and Third Precinct Commissioner Linda Harrington.

Other business included approving a 5% across-the-board membership rate increase at the Doyle Community Center and a restructure that eliminates the 3- and 6-month options, adds a 1-month auto-renewing tier, and includes 24-hour Iron Mill access with full-service and 12-month plans (with a $10/month add-on available for the 1-month tier). Commissioners also approved joining the national opioid settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family.

The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, at 6 p.m.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice

This article was updated at 10:52 p.m. Saturday, August 30 to accurately reflect the spelling of Gary Nissley’s name, which was initially misspelled.