Dallas officials admitted Monday that they are still behind weeks behind on brushy trash collection -- despite saying last week that they had caught up.
Sanitation Director Mary Nix said collection is still behind in much of the city, even after outside contractors were hired to help catch up.
“We really thought we were done, too,” Nix said. “And then we’re seeing more debris put out. Although what I’m seeing is not really storm debris, it’s really a lot more of new growth.”
The city told NBC DFW last week that it was nearly finished picking up all of the debris.
Piles of what appear to be debris from the February ice storm remained in the Buckner Terrace neighborhood Monday morning.
The last scheduled bulk trash for that area was the fourth week of March.
“We hadn’t seen them since February,” said Darlene Reynolds, chair of the Buckner Terrace Homeowners Association.
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She said the city's statements about storm debris collection have been misleading.
“Let’s have an honest statement from them, that, 'Yes, we’re almost there,'" Reynolds said. "I can accept that. Don’t tell me you’re already done."
Nix said the city will continue to collect brush trash, but asks that residents only put material on the curb during scheduled collection weeks. A grace period for storm debris disposal has expired.
Bulk trash collection trucks from the city did finally arrive in Buckner Terrace on Monday.
“I know they have budget crisis," Reynolds said. "We all have a budget crisis. But I think a little honesty would go a long way,” Reynolds said.
Nix said the city is reviewing ways to improve service after future storms.
