Chattanoogans waiting on curbside brush collection number in the thousands, according to 311 data. And the majority of their requests are overdue.
As a whole, brush collection is the most requested service through 311, Chattanooga’s catch-all phone line, app and web portal meant to funnel requests from the public to the right city departments. As of early October, the Public Works Department is behind by about 2,400 requests for brush collection.
The issue has stirred Chattanooga City Council members and neighborhood leaders, with members of the latter group saying they’ve seen little change over the years when it comes to getting brush picked up in a timely manner.
Trucks are supposed to come and collect the brush within eight business days after the request is made for pickup, according to the city’s website. Some brush collection requests have been open since as early as July of this year. Others from April, May and June are still marked as open, though they have a listed “completed at” date.
Last week, officials from the Public Works Department told the City Council that the problem is funding for new equipment.