The first of October brings cooler weather. This year it will bring changes in fees and procedures for the city’s solid waste and utility customers.

Oct. 1 is the first day of the city’s fiscal year and its 2008-09 budget becomes effective. Along with the budget, the city council adopted rate increases because of high fuel costs.

Garbage collection rates will go up $1.25 but residents will still have two pickups per week. Residents who currently pay $13.30 will now pay $14.55.

One of the changes residents will notice is a wider window of opportunity to leave brush and bulk out for pickup.

The city’s brush and bulk program was modified in 2006 to provide homeowners with a two-day period of time to leave brush or bulk out for collection.

Bruce Butscher, public works director, said the city changed the policy to allow brush to be out for a seven-day period of time to assist residents. Brush and bulky items are picked up twice a month on a schedule available online at http://www.ci.temple.tx.us/images/pages/N352/garbage.jpg.

“The program has been a success thus far, however what we have found over the past year or so is that we can better meet program goals and resident expectations by expanding the window of time for setting brush and bulk out at the curb,” Butscher said.

If items are placed within eight feet of the curb outside the seven-day time frame, the city of Temple will continue to charge out of cycle fees for brush and bulk services. Regular out of cycle collections will be run each week.

City manager David Blackburn said the changes were based on input from residents.

“I think the mayor and city council listened to what residents wanted with regard to their brush and bulk item services and have responded,” Blackburn said. “These changes are more customer friendly and customer oriented, which have been high priorities for Council and staff.”

Each brush/bulk collection will be limited to six cubic yards (about a pickup load) without an additional fee.

A resident may set out brush and tree trimmings, keeping them separate from other items such as bagged grass clippings and leaves, junk, furniture, appliances and non-hazardous cleanup items.

Remodeling, demolition, roofing or building materials are not a part of regular collections. These items should be disposed of at the Temple landfill by the contractor.

Commercial tree trimmers and landscapers are encouraged to register with the City Solid Waste Services Department to help eliminate unnecessary charges to the homeowner.

Temple residents can expect an increase in their water utility bills and drainage fees.