Parkersburg City Council Advances Recycling Contract, Lifts Public Forum Restrictions

Council also approves budget proposal with pay raises for city workers

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Parkersburg City Council approved the final reading of an ordinance authorizing a curbside recycling contract with Rumpke of Ohio and lifted restrictions on the public forum at their meeting on Tuesday. The council also presented Mayor Tom Joyce's proposed 2026-27 municipal budget, which includes a 4.2% cost-of-living adjustment for city employees and raises the minimum wage for 14 workers to $15 per hour.

Why it matters

The recycling contract and changes to the public forum reflect the city's efforts to address environmental concerns and promote civic engagement. The budget proposal, with its focus on employee compensation, signals the city's commitment to supporting its workforce and maintaining pay equity.

The details

The recycling contract with Rumpke will initially cost the city $15.25 per participating residence per month, which will be covered by a $1.50 monthly recycling surcharge for all residents and an additional $3 per month for those who choose to recycle. The council also approved an ordinance to reduce the monthly sanitation fee from $22 to $21, including the recycling surcharge. Some residents had asked the council to table the ordinance until a citizen referendum petition to nullify the sanitation contract with Waste Management could be assessed. The budget proposal includes a 4.2% cost-of-living adjustment for all city employees, excluding elected officials, and raises the pay of 14 workers to ensure no one employed by the city makes less than $15 per hour.

  • The final reading of the ordinance approving the recycling contract with Rumpke was passed on February 25, 2026.
  • The council voted to lift restrictions on the public forum at their meeting on February 25, 2026, reversing a change made in March 2025.
  • Mayor Tom Joyce presented his proposed 2026-27 budget to the council on February 25, 2026.

The players

Parkersburg City Council

The governing body of the city of Parkersburg, West Virginia, responsible for approving the recycling contract, lifting public forum restrictions, and considering the proposed municipal budget.

Tom Joyce

The mayor of Parkersburg, who presented the proposed 2026-27 municipal budget to the city council.

Rumpke of Ohio

The company that was awarded the curbside recycling service contract with the city of Parkersburg.

Waste Management

The company that previously had the sanitation contract with the city of Parkersburg, which is being shifted to a contracted service.

Trish Pritchard

A Parkersburg resident who spoke during the public forum portion of the city council meeting.

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What they’re saying

“Any surpluses would be at council's discretion (but could be used) to offset rate increases.”

— Tom Joyce, Mayor (newsandsentinel.com)

“We are still waiting on some quotes for body camming up the entire department, but make no mistake, we cannot do that in one year.”

— Tom Joyce, Mayor (newsandsentinel.com)

What’s next

The city council will consider the proposed 2026-27 budget in a series of Committee of the Whole hearings before voting to amend and eventually adopt it.

The takeaway

Parkersburg's city council is taking steps to address environmental concerns, promote civic engagement, and support its municipal workforce, reflecting the city's commitment to balancing the needs of its community.