HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Houston Mayor John Whitmire rolled out his 2027 fiscal year budget on Tuesday.
The proposals totaled approximately $7.5 billion.
A part of the proposal is charging Houston residents a new $5 trash fee.
The fee is lower than the amount recommended in a city-funded study.
The study determined that residents should pay approximately $32 per month, with the amount rising to approximately $45 in fiscal year 2031. The fee would cover the cost of trash, recycling, and yard waste.
The study also cites figures based on a “clean city” fee, which Chris Hollins takes issue with.
“A clean city fee is not the garbage fee. The garbage fee is its own thing. A clean city fee is another thing that’s charged to all Houstonians who get a water bill,” Hollins said.
Hollins said there needs to be more transparency regarding the details of the budget and the city-funded trash study.
“Clean city fee cost of service. It starts at $2.50 and goes up to $4, and that’s on top of the garbage fee,” Hollins said. “So, if you’re tracking at home. You’ll have a garbage fee of over $35 and a clean city fee of $4. So, together you’re paying about $40, according to this study. Now, why are we lying about that?”
Hollins said he will take his message to Houstonians beginning on May 12, highlighting parts of the budget that he said concern him.
The mayor’s office did not respond to questions for this story by the deadline.
Copyright © 2026 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.
