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Volunteers ask TDC for $20,000 to keep 35 Pineda trash barrels emptied; county will vet contractor and KBB performance
Summary
Waterway Warriors co‑founder asked the Tourism Development Council for assistance to fund an annual $20,000 contract to empty 35 trash barrels along Pineda Causeway after the county contractor KBB said emptying barrels was not part of its scope; staff said it will audit KBB's contract performance and return with options.
Cheryl, a co‑founder of the volunteer group Waterway Warriors, told the Brevard County Tourism Development Council Sept. 24 that her group needs help paying a vendor $20,000 a year to empty 35 trash barrels placed along Pineda Causeway.
“We got a price quote from a vendor for $20,000 a year. We as for his labor and we will supply the bags,” Cheryl said, asking the council to consider assistance. She said Waterway Warriors installed 35 barrels and added monofilament line collection tubes made by local Boy Scouts; the organization has run regular cleanups and tracks results.
Why it matters: Volunteers said the barrels reduce litter that would otherwise enter the Indian River Lagoon; Waterway Warriors reported removing 103 tons of trash over three years (about 206,000 pounds), which they said demonstrates the program’s effectiveness.
Cheryl told the council that KBB, the county’s contracted causeway cleaner, had been emptying the barrels but ceased doing so on Sept. 9. Peter, a tourism staff member, said the county will audit KBB’s reports and contract compliance and will check whether KBB has the staff and insurance to add barrel service. KBB’s existing contract was described as covering six causeways and costing approximately $157,000 annually.
Council members suggested options: expand KBB’s contract scope to include emptying barrels, vet the vendor proposed by Waterway Warriors to meet county contracting requirements, or consider countywide approaches covering all six causeways if funding is available. Alex said expanding KBB’s scope could be simpler than adding a second contractor.
Next steps: Staff said they will investigate KBB’s contract performance, review monthly reports, and return to the council next month with vetted options, including whether the county can contract with the vendor who quoted $20,000 a year. No funding decision was made at the Sept. 24 meeting.
