The San Antonio City Council held a budget work session on September 9, 2025, focusing on the city's waste collection services. A key discussion point was the efficiency and challenges of the city's waste management system, which handles approximately 60 million collections annually. Despite a high success rate of 99%, officials reported around 49,000 missed collections, prompting a need for improvements.

The council highlighted the implementation of an advanced collection system that utilizes electronic tablets for navigation, replacing the outdated paper maps previously used by drivers. This new technology allows drivers to track their routes more effectively, with each stop corresponding to a customer. When a collection is completed, the system updates in real-time, changing the status of the collection point.

Additionally, the system is integrated with video recording capabilities, providing evidence in cases where residents claim their waste was not collected. This feature helps verify whether bins were placed out on time or if contamination issues prevented collection.

The council also discussed the importance of accurate billing, noting that the system reconciles service records to ensure customers are billed correctly. Looking ahead, officials predict that the city will collect around 80,000 tons of waste in the upcoming year, emphasizing the need for continued improvements in service delivery.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to enhancing waste management services while addressing the challenges posed by high collection volumes.