Brownsville resident urges Cameron County endorsement for Compost Brownsville grant bids

Dr. Sandra Garcia, a Brownsville chiropractor and founder of the community initiative Tummy Better, urged the Cameron County Commissioners Court to formally endorse a coalition called Compost Brownsville and to provide a letter of support for grant applications to fund municipal composting infrastructure countywide. "I am requesting your formal endorsement of the resolution of support for Compost Brownsville and a letter of support for grant applications that would fund composting infrastructure for this entire county," Garcia told the court during the public-comment period.

Garcia cited federal and state grant programs — naming the EPA, USDA and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality — and argued that those grants can fully underwrite infrastructure if applicants can demonstrate documented community support and government partnership. She said Brownsville already has strong community backing for recycling, noting a 90% community approval rating for curbside recycling, and sought the court’s help to position the county competitively for grant funding.