BORGER, Texas — Residents used the public-comment portion of the Aug. 5 City Council meeting to press the city on alley cleanup, illegal dumping and the pace of demolition of burned or blighted properties.

Speakers described repeatedly finding tree limbs, furniture and other debris by dumpsters and in alleys and urged neighbors to report problems to the transfer station. One resident said, “If I see some limbs, I will call, and tell them, hey. Can you send somebody over here to pick up those limbs?” and urged neighbors to pitch in when possible.

City staff responded that code enforcement has mailed more than 1,000 weed letters and is managing more than 200 active cases logged in the myGov software system. Staff said heavy summer rains have hampered mowing and cleanup efforts and confirmed the city recently lost a part-time alley crew position, reducing capacity to clear alleys.

On demolition timelines, staff said there are typically 20 to 40 structures on the demolition list and the city completes about 12–15 demolitions per year; the process can be lengthy because condemnation and acquisition procedures are required when owners refuse to remove unsafe buildings.

Residents offered to volunteer to identify problem addresses and to help with cleanup; staff encouraged people to file specific complaints so the city can follow up.