City Council discusses recycling mandate, Butler County Senior Services levy

The Oxford City Council met on Sept. 16 to discuss the recycling mandate and hear from Oxfordians about the Butler County Senior Services levy. Multiple resolutions were focused on as well .

Recycling mandate

During the work session, Reena Murphy, environmental coordinator, spoke to the council about the proposed recycling mandate.

Murphy relayed to the council the information and discussion shared at the Environmental Commission meeting on Sept. 3 regarding suggested recycling mandate approaches.

The recycling mandate aims to help create space for recycling, while preventing garbage contamination and promoting enforcement.

Murphy added that the issue attempts to convert apartment waste wheelers into a communal dumpster for the building – this would create more space, according to Murphy. 

Murphy added that these suggested dumpsters would be locked, and keys would only be given to residents of their respective apartment complexes.

The proposed pilot option would be a voluntary program at three different locations, which would depend on private property owner interest and willingness to enter into a private-public partnership.

The council expressed support for adding building-level dumpster sharing, while implementing a tiered approach for the mandate with a pilot.

Jim Vinch, Environmental Commission member, spoke during public comment in support of the recycling mandate. 

“I think recycling … provides a good entry point for students to the world of environmental protection,” said Vinch. “It feels that it is something positive to help the community.” 

Peggy Branstrater, Environmental Commission member, also spoke during public comment in support of the recycling mandate, explaining that some progress is better than no progress.

“We need to see this as a starting point for future activity,” she said.

According to Murphy, the city will draft two separate pieces of legislation and bring it back to council for a commercial or mixed-use pilot, and building-level sharing and the tiered approach for multifamily properties.

• A building-level dumpster sharing and for the tiered approach for multifamily properties.
• A commercial or mixed-use pilot, 

Murphy added that the city’s next steps are to identify willing property owners and businesses to host a pilot site. 

Senior levy presentation

Jennifer Heston-Mullins, president of the Butler County Elderly Services Program (ESP) Advisory Council, gave a presentation to the council about the upcoming Butler County Senior Services levy.

“This levy (would) provide the majority of funds that allow Butler County ESP to help thousands of older adults stay at home,” she said.

The Butler County ESP acts as the primary source of funding for programs and services, such as meals, homemaking, health and transportation, according to Heston-Mullins.

ESP’s reach extends to more than 4,000 seniors in Butler County, allowing them to be able to stay in their homes.

“ESP saves taxpayers money,” said Heston-Mullins. “(It) keeps people off Medicaid by preventing costly and unnecessary nursing home placements.”

According to Heston-Mullins, it will cost $425 per month for ESP care, in contrast to $8,000 a month for Medicaid nursing healthcare. 

“It’s a safety net for people who are not eligible for other community programs.” she explained. 

She added that ESP works with caregivers and supports them through this service. 

“This new levy will generate $20.2 million per year and cost homeowners $50 per every $100,000 in property value,” she said. “This is less than 2% of the average property tax bill.”

Emily Liechty, executive director at Oxford Seniors who also spoke to the council, said that in the past 20 years, Butler County’s 60 years of age and above population has risen 79%.

“I can testify that people call us everyday, multiple times a day, looking for help,” she said.

To be eligible for ESP, individuals must be residents of Butler County, be 60 years of age or older and have specific care and health needs. 

“Our population is aging, and as these populations age, they need the limited ESP funds,” she said. “They can only be stretched so far.” 

Constitution week

Mayor William Snavely spoke during public participation to recognize the 238th anniversary of the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. 

Snavely declared the week of Sept. 17-23 to be deemed “Constitution Week.”

“I hope you all listen carefully to that proclamation,” said Snavely, “to me, it’s very meaningful.

Snavely welcomed two members of the Oxford Caroline Scott chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to accept the proclamation. 

Resolutions

The Oxford City Council adopted a resolution that authorizes the city manager to amend an existing agreement with AECOM Technical Service Inc. for the development of construction plans and specifications for an Amtrak rail station platform.

The council also adopted the resolution to approve the disbursement of funds from the Community Assistance Fund for the 2026 budget.

The final approved resolution aimed to authorize a grant to the Oxford Vineyard Church for $70,000 to help fund the operation of a cold shelter. 

These funds are planned to be used to support a winter shelter for homeless individuals from Dec. 1, 2025 until Feb. 28, 2026. 

Part of these designated funds will support two contracted coordinators for support and to train volunteers, according to Douglas Elliott, city manager.

“Services will include overnight accommodations, meals and connections to social services resources,” he said. “The program will serve all experiencing homelessness and, when necessary, make arrangements for families and children through donated housing at area hotels.”

Funding will be granted in early October 2025.

The Oxford City Council is scheduled to meet next on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.