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Farmers Branch committee reports 117 toilet replacements, boosts irrigation rebate; schedules tree giveaway and recycling events
Summary
Staff told the committee about recent water-rebate activity, an increased irrigation-checkup rebate, volunteer needs for a Nov. 8 tree giveaway and other community collection events including an Oct. 25 shredding/electronics recycling day.
City sustainability staff told the Farmers Branch Sustainability Committee the city has approved 117 toilet replacements and 14 irrigation checkup applications under the water-rebate program, and staff recommended raising the irrigation-checkup rebate from $50 to $75 to incentivize more participation.
Alex, a city staff member, said the irrigation-checkup rebate increase "should cover almost all of the irrigation audit depending on what company you use" and that staff will update the online application and marketing materials. Alex also said the city has launched registration for a free tree giveaway for Farmers Branch residents; registration opened at noon on the day of the meeting and the giveaway is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, with the distribution from 10 a.m. to noon at City Hall and an Arbor Day ceremonial tree planting from 9 to 10 a.m. at the park adjacent to City Hall.
The committee discussed volunteer staffing for the tree event; Alex listed volunteers who had signed up and asked other committee members to help, noting the city budget currently supports 200 trees per year for the giveaway.
Alex told the committee the community shredding and electronics-recycling day is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25 at City Hall. Committee members also discussed tabling at other fall events; volunteers reported participating in recent National Night Out events and suggested a regular volunteer rota for future city events.
Service-center update: Alex said the Senlac (Sunlac/Senlac service center) location is operating on a limited schedule (Saturdays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.) and currently accepts trash recycling and used cooking oil; staff said the former full Citizens Collection Center off Valley View closed during the last budget cycle roughly a year ago and the service at Senlac is a lighter, site-limited version.
Why it matters: water-rebate activity and free-tree programs are direct resident-facing services that can reduce household water use and help restore the urban tree canopy. Community collection events provide disposal options for residents and support diversion goals.
Next steps: staff will finalize the irrigation-checkup rebate change, update web materials, continue event volunteer coordination, and confirm Senlac service details.
