WICHITA, Kansas -- For years, the city has paid for dumpsters and dumping fees for entire neighborhoods to do intensive clean-up.
But budget cuts is forcing the city to shift the program from being "free" to income based.
There are more than 1,800 homes in the residential neighborhood of North Riverside.
Sharon Powell Quincy has taken part in a number of annual clean-ups in her neighborhood, but this year may be a different story.
"This probably means for us we won't be able to conduct a city-sponsored neighborhood clean up," said Quincy. "Which means for us we aren't be able to provide services. We won't being able to provide for our residents."
The City of Wichita has always provided funding for equipment and covered disposal fees for clean ups since 1999.
The city was forced to slash funding for the program this year.
"So the clean up has changed for 2013," said LaShonda Garnes, Wichita's District 1 Neighborhood Assistant.
She said, "Where it went from a traditionally free clean up that was city wide based to now at more of an income based guideline program with a couple of tiers."
Neighborhoods would have to apply for the funding, and it's going to be based on the median income for that neighborhood.
Neighborhoods whose median income is very low to low moderate qualify for the "no cost city funded" clean up, whereas, those with a high income bracket won't be eligible.
"Our goal is to look at the program with the funding level and be as creative as we could be with still make and provide the opportunities for all neighborhoods to be part of the program," said Garnes.
The first city sponsored neighborhood clean-up is scheduled for April.
City officials tell KSN News that the new rules were only approved for one year by city council.
Garnes said, there could be a new re-design of the clean-up program for next year.
The city is always looking for ways to better the program, which is why they encourage residents to share with them their feedback on the current program.
