Board Votes on Several Resolutions and Again Defers the Drug Takeback Program with the Cook County Sheriff

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Board Meeting
December 18, 2025

Agenda Items Approved:

• ​After a month of deliberations and a public hearing, the board approved annual tax levies and adopted a 2026 final budget of $1.8B that includes investing in public infrastructure, stormwater and flood management, and with new consideration of the long-term environmental and financial implications of permit compliance.  Soon to be available is an online interactive budget dashboard*  The 2025 budget was just under $1.7B. Ordinance 025-0004A 
• They also adopted an Ordinance establishing the minimum qualifications and duties for the MWRD Inspector General and are convening search and selection committees for appointing an IG to replace the current interim, Patrick Blanchard, whose contract was extended thru June 2026 at the December 4, 2025 board meeting.  025-012
• Previously twice deferred by Commissioner Sepulveda, the board approved a $250,000 contract with Web-based Compliance Software.  Commissioner Sepulveda asked that in the future RFPs include a “no charge” provision to allow business to upload redundant information from other submissions.  #22 25-0848

Agenda Items Deferred/Deleted: 

• For the 3rd time, Commission Davis asked that the Intergovernmental Agreement with the CC Sheriff’s Office for the Prescription Drug Take-Back Program in the amount of $80,000 be deferred so that his team can digest the responses received from MWRD staff.  The board agreed to the deferral but voiced several strong supporting comments including those reported in the November and then again at the December 4 meeting.  Brady-Davis said she understands that the issue isn’t the value of the program but who pays.  Garcia strongly supports and wants more boxes in communities in 2027.  Sepulveda asked that staff develop a strategy for getting the pharmaceutical association(s) more involved in 2027.  #43 25-0885
• Commissioner Flynn deferred a $191,525,00 landscaping contract for a Paver Walkway Improvement.  No reason was given.  #35 25-0962
• President Steele deferred with no discussion the Recommendations for the State of Illinois 2026 Legislative Program.  Expect to see it on the January 8, 2026 agenda.   #45 25-0968

Other Interesting Items:  

• Authorization was given for payment to the Water Research Foundation for the 2026 Annual Research Commitment not to exceed $190,663.  Commissioner Waller now serves on a new committee covering IT Data Centers: Understanding Economic Considerations and Opportunities for Water and Wastewater Utilities  #20 25-0941

No Executive Session; All commissioners present; Length of meeting: 70 minutes 

Observer - Diane Edmundson