Clermont officials weigh changes to bulk collection program as disposal costs climb

City of Clermont public services staff told City Council on June 10 that the city’s curbside bulk-collection program is absorbing growing disposal costs and asked for council direction on possible changes.

The city’s assistant director in public services, James Mayorm, said bulk collection covers items too large for a regular cart—refrigerators, tree debris and construction remnants—and that up to 3 cubic yards is collected as part of standard service. “Anything over 3 cubic yards is charged to the resident at a rate of $12.54 per yard,” Mayorm said, adding that the city’s disposal tipping rate has climbed from an historic low to about $56.05 per ton.

Mayorm told the council that during the first four months of 2025 crews collected roughly 751 tons of bulk trash and that disposal charges have exceeded $42,000. Collections billed to residents at $12.54 per yard yielded only about $6,700 in revenue, leaving the sanitation fund to subsidize roughly $35,359 so far this year.

Council members and the mayor raised several operational and equity concerns. Councilwoman Alison Strange, who initiated the conversation about seasonal peaks from hurricane trims, asked staff to consider scheduled large-yard pickups “twice a year or quarterly” so residents can plan instead of stacking material over multiple weeks. Mayor Tim Murray said he hears repeated complaints when crews declare a pile exceeds the 3-cubic-yard allowance and cannot be picked up, leaving residents to make multiple trips.

Councilman Todd Peterson and others suggested alternatives: reinstate a required pickup request for large loads, allow a “flat fee” option instead of supervisor inspections and measurement, or create a limited number of “bulk collection holidays” during the year when larger amounts would be picked up without per-yard charges.

Several council members also noted the administrative cost of sending a supervisor to measure piles and produce invoices, and suggested staff quantify that cost when returning with options. Peterson said a single pickup might be more cost-effective than multiple return trips for the same address.

Mayorm described current enforcement and cleanup practice for “fly dumping,” where crews find materials dumped at remote locations; supervisors measure those piles and the city attempts to bill the responsible resident when possible. He said residents can also use the county transfer station for large yard debris without charge, though that shifts the burden to the resident.

Nut graf: Council members asked staff to return with specific proposals for the budget cycle—possible options include scheduled seasonal pickups, a flat fee for large loads, clearer public notice and streamlined billing—so the council can weigh cost, fairness and operational feasibility ahead of the 2026 budget.

Supporting detail and next steps: Staff said they will bring back ordinance or budget recommendations during the upcoming budget workshops. Council members proposed: (1) clearer public outreach about what constitutes 3 cubic yards, (2) a flat-fee option to avoid measurement and supervisor travel, (3) one or two annual or seasonal “bulk holidays” to allow residents a larger single pickup, and (4) continued enforcement against illegal dumping. Several council members also asked staff to evaluate whether changing the schedule from bi-monthly to monthly board meetings for oversight or improved public notice would improve responsiveness.

Ending: The council did not take immediate action but directed staff to analyze options, estimate administrative costs and present draft ordinance or budget language during the budget workshop cycle so members can weigh trade-offs before adoption.