Bluff City raises fee for extra brush pickups, requires work orders

The Bluff City Board of Mayor and Aldermen adopted a revision to the municipal code governing residential brush collection, keeping a monthly free pickup but requiring a work order for collection and raising the fee for additional loads to $20 per load.

During the public hearing the presiding official read the updated code language, saying, "Each residential customer shall get 1 free brush pickup per month without charge." The ordinance specifies that brush is limited to routine tree trimmings and similar material (no roots), must be pileable in 10-foot lengths and not mixed with leaves, grass, dirt, rocks or lumber. The ordinance also states the town will not remove piles produced by professional services and that customers must call to schedule a pickup so the public works department can track work.

A public commenter supported the changes and asked that ordinance texts be attached to meeting agendas so residents can review them beforehand. After brief board discussion a motion to adopt the ordinance passed.

The change increases the town’s enforcement of scheduling for brush pickup and imposes a modest user fee for extra loads to limit repeated, untracked pickups that staff said strain public works resources.