Clute council approves $85 fee for mattress and other bulk-item collection

The Clute City Council voted unanimously Oct. 9 to adopt Ordinance 2025-O20, establishing an $85 fee for city collection of mattresses, furniture and other oversized household items. Council members set publication dates of Dec. 30 and Dec. 31, 2025, and directed that the ordinance take effect Jan. 1 following those publications.

Mayor Calvin Chipplet led the discussion announcing the ordinance, which amends chapter 94 of the city code to define bulky household items and assess a per-item collection fee. The council and staff said the fee was intended to cover the city’s disposal costs and encourage residents to use private haulers or self-haul where feasible.

City staff told the council the landfill currently charges the city $65 per mattress and that city overhead — time, materials, labor and transport — pushes the true cost higher. A staff member summarized the calculation: “the fee we would be charged at the landfill is $65 per item… the overhead comes actually probably closer to 90, but we set it at $85.”

Council members discussed timing and public notice. Several members said they wanted more lead time for residents before the fee took effect; staff said they would run a mailer, post Q&A on the city website, and use social media. The council agreed to the Dec. 30–31 publication dates so the ordinance would be effective Jan. 1 after publication.

Councilman Eric Aguilar moved to approve the ordinance with the Dec. 30–31 publication dates; Councilperson Nicole Maddox seconded. The motion carried by unanimous voice vote.

Staff said the fee applies per item (for example, each mattress, couch or recliner) and that existing private providers sometimes offer cheaper pickup options. The council instructed staff to begin public outreach after publication scheduling was set.

The ordinance text as discussed amends section 94-4 (collection of household bulk items) and includes a severability clause and required publication language.