Jacksonville Residents Face Increased Trash Pickup Fees

News Summary

Jacksonville residents may experience a significant increase in trash pickup fees as the City Council plans to vote on a proposal. The current fee of $12.65 per month could nearly double to $27 starting in 2025, with further hikes scheduled in the following years. Councilman Matt Carlucci and Mayor Donna Deegan support the proposal, emphasizing the need to cover actual service costs and financial sustainability. However, concerns have been raised by residents, particularly those on fixed incomes, regarding the affordability of these increases.

Jacksonville Residents Face Increased Trash Pickup Fees

Jacksonville residents may see a notable rise in their trash pickup fees, with the Jacksonville City Council scheduled to vote on a proposal that could nearly double the current rate for the first time in 15 years. Currently, residents pay $12.65 per month for residential trash services, and the proposed changes would see fees increasing to $27 per month in 2025, followed by further hikes to $29.50 in 2026 and $32 in 2027.

Councilman Matt Carlucci has stated that the increase is essential to cover the actual costs of service and to stop drawing from the city’s reserves for ongoing expenses. He pointed out that the actual cost of providing these services is approximately $30.40 per month per household, presenting an argument that residents should be content with paying a fee that reflects the true cost of the service provided.

Mayor Donna Deegan expresses support for the proposal, describing it as a critical measure in addressing a longstanding financial dilemma that has worsened over time due to delays in fee adjustments. However, the sharpness of the proposed increase has stirred concerns among residents, especially those on fixed incomes, who view it as sudden and potentially burdensome.

Local resident Henry Dufresne has emphasized that the fee hike could significantly impact families trying to make ends meet. The City Council’s vote on this matter will require subsequent approval from Mayor Deegan to finalize the ordinance.

Currently, the annual residential trash fee stands at $151.80, a rate that has remained unchanged since 2010. In contrast, comparable cities and counties in the area have significantly raised their fees during the same period. This proposed adjustment aims to address a growing deficit within the city’s solid waste fund, which is estimated at around $100 million in borrowed money from the general fund.

A clause within the proposal allows households earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level to apply for an exemption, enabling them to maintain the current rate. Some residents have also raised concerns regarding service costs, advocating for better-negotiated contracts with trash collection providers to prevent further financial pressures.

The City Council’s approval of the fee increase proposal has progressed with a vote of 12-7, pushing the measures one step closer to implementation. If approved, the increased fees will be reflected on property owners’ tax bills in 2025, with amounts rising from $324 to $354 in 2026 and $384 in 2027.

Although Jacksonville’s new rates will see considerable increases, comparisons with neighboring areas highlight that the city’s rates remain lower than those in surrounding municipalities, such as Jacksonville Beach and St. Augustine, where similar services come at a significantly higher price. Jacksonville Beach, for instance, has recently adjusted its garbage collection rate to $33.93 per month, citing the need for more frequent collection services.

As Jacksonville prepares for this pivotal vote, residents and officials alike acknowledge the importance of balancing service costs and financial sustainability while addressing the concerns of the community.

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HERE Resources

Jacksonville City Council Approves Trash Fee Hike

Additional Resources

• First Coast News
• Hoodline
• Jacksonville.com
• Action News Jax
• News4Jax
• Wikipedia: Jacksonville
• Google Search: Jacksonville trash pickup fees
• Google Scholar: Jacksonville trash collection
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacksonville
• Google News: Jacksonville trash fees