Environmental Services celebrates first year as a department

Environmental Services celebrates first year as a department

Published on October 08, 2024

On Oct 1, the first day of the City's new fiscal year, Environmental Services gathered to celebrate its first year as its own department.

Nature-themed decorations filled the Fort Worth Council Chamber. A photo slideshow showcased the department's different teams and key highlights. Guests were treated to refreshments, desserts and charcuterie-style selections.

Each of the department's divisions - Environmental Quality, Consumer Health, Solid Waste Services, and Keep Fort Worth Beautiful -showed off the various programs and services they offer on educational tables filled with pamphlets, flyers and take-home goodies. There were even displays set up with mosquito sampling stations, food scrap composting kits, and residential carts for garbage, recycling and yard waste curbside collections.

Environmental Services Director Cody Whittenburg, alongside his executive team and Assistant City Manager, Valerie Washington, gave brief remarks about noteworthy successes of the department over the past year.

Some key accomplishments that were highlighted:

• The removal of 19.6 million pounds of litter across all department litter programs
• The arrival of 12 new street sweepers
• 293 air-quality investigations
• 12,160 health inspections

Mayor Mattie Parker, City Manager's Office personnel, city councilmembers and several other departments showed their support for Environmental Services and attended the event. Staff reveled about this major milestone, as positive chatter could be heard around the room.

Jennifer Pilkington, HR administrative assistant, said: "It's amazing to see so many [people] show up to support and celebrate our department's one-year anniversary!"

Chris Harper, contract services administrator, said, "This was the first time I have seen a department set up an event like this. It really showcased all the hard work and accomplishments of our first year. It's very encouraging to see support from [city managers] and city councilmembers. Environmental Services is clearly headed in the right direction."

The celebration ended with the entire room singing "Happy Birthday" while a commemorative cake was presented. Environmental Services is enthusiastic for the future of the department and ready to take on Fiscal Year 2025.

Photo:Mayor Mattie Parker, far right, celebrates the milestone with leaders of the Environmental Services Department.

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Tagged as:

• Environment