The City will be completing one of its three scheduled brush pickups for the year starting on Tuesday, July 5th. The City will begin collection at the north of town and work its way south. Residents should place brush out no more than 48 hours before scheduled collection.

The City will collect only one truck load of material per parcel. Any brush that is left is the responsibility of the property owner to remove. If you have additional brush left or get your brush out after collection in your area it should be removed within 24 hours.

As part of the City's code of ordinances, brush placed in the street or left out for an extended period of time can receive a fine. For those people placing brush out when collections are not scheduled, the City may collect the brush and bill the citizen for the staff and equipment time to do so.

Last year the City of Sturgis changed its spring and summer brush collection schedule from monthly service to collection only during the first week of April, July, and October. The change was made as part of cost saving measures by the City.

With the change the City has seen more cases of brush being piled up despite no collection scheduled in the near future. The schedule change is adding to the common issues of brush not being placed properly, or having materials placed at the curb that are not collected such as grass clippings, roots, thorn bearing branches, tree trunks, stumps, or even construction materials.

During collections, typical City lots with curb and sidewalks should have brush piled in the terrace area between the sidewalk and curb, away from obstructions such as standing trees, signs, parked cars, power poles, and other items. Non-typical City lots, those without curb and/or sidewalks, should have brush placed on the grass area just beyond the street. Brush should not be placed in the street, where it can act as a traffic hazard.

During the summer months, the City may choose to schedule special brush collections following a substantial storm event. These pickups will be advertised in the local media and on the City's website. If residents have brush they need to dispose of in between collections, the City's compost site is open free of charge to City residents and collects brush as well as grass clippings and leaves. Non-City residents can also obtain access to the compost site for a fee.