City Council Proposes Quadrant-Based Approach for Bulk and Brush Collection

In a recent special meeting of the DeSoto City Council, key discussions centered around budgetary concerns and proposed changes to the city's bulk and brush collection services. As the fiscal year approaches its end, council members expressed the need for clarity on budget overruns, particularly in non-departmental expenditures and economic incentives.

One council member raised concerns about the current budget, noting that non-departmental spending is 5% over budget, while economic incentives are at 4% over. The member requested a detailed breakdown of these expenditures to better understand the reasons behind the overspending. Additionally, questions were posed regarding the information technology budget, which is slightly over at 3%. The council member sought clarification on whether this increase was due to necessary upgrades or other unforeseen costs. The city manager assured that the IT budget remains manageable and that any significant purchases would be covered by capital budgets rather than operational funds.

Another significant topic discussed was the proposed changes to the bulk and brush collection process. Deputy City Manager Isom Cameron presented a plan to transition from a call-in system for pickups to a quadrant-based schedule. This new system would divide the city into four sections, each assigned a specific week for bulk and brush collection. This change aims to streamline the process, ensuring that all residents in a designated area receive pickups simultaneously, thereby reducing confusion and improving efficiency.

The council expressed optimism about these changes, highlighting that they would help eliminate sporadic pickups and provide residents with clear guidelines on when to place their items out for collection. The proposed system is expected to enhance service delivery and address current challenges faced by the sanitation department.

As the meeting concluded, the council emphasized the importance of addressing budgetary issues promptly while also improving city services. The discussions underscored the council's commitment to transparency and efficiency in managing city resources, with further updates anticipated in upcoming meetings.