CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Beginning in October, the City of Corpus Christi will reduce the number of brush pickups from four times a year to two.
"We're saving about 50 percent of that division's budget as well cutting it down to the two times per year," City of Corpus Christi Assistant Director of Solid Waste Services Rey Flores said.
Due to the cost of the service, Flores said city leaders weren't seeing the numbers they wanted to for the amount of work that was being put in.
"Looking at the rates that we were seeing the set out rates, the volumes, they just weren't there, they were coming in a little low," he said. "And rather than having crews out there wasting hours, gas, a lot of it goes into the operation."
Corpus Christi At-Large Councilman Mike Pusley said that the City received a study showing how much debris tonnage is collected throughout the year. He said that while some people may be hesitant about the change, he said growing pains are to be expected.
"I remember when the City decided to go from picking up the garbage at your house from twice a week to once a week. It was very controversial, there was a lot of discussion about that," he said.
Flores said that the City has other alternatives for those looking to clear the brush off their curbside.
"Whether it be brush, an old sofa, recliner, you know, things they would want to get rid of, free of charge at the transfer station as well as our Litter Critter program," he said.
For those who don't have transportation, or who cannot get to collection events themselves, Flores said you still have options.
"You can set something up for a little bit of a charge, we'll go out there we'll collect everything. Those we can actually schedule to work around your availability," he said.
Flores said residents can go online to see where their neighborhood sits on the brush pickup schedule, and that in the event of a major storm, the City will provide additional brush pickup if needed.