St. Johns County commissioners on Aug. 5 directed staff to include proposed maximum solid waste special assessment rates for Fiscal Years 2026 through 2030 in the county’s Annual Assessment Resolution after a statutorily required public hearing.
The proposed maximum annual rates presented were $334 for FY2026 (up from $254), $394 for FY2027, $414 for FY2028, $434 for FY2029 and $454 for FY2030. The board’s action was a direction to staff to include those maximums in the assessment resolution that will return for adoption in September.
Public Works Director Greg Caldwell explained the proposed rates and responded to questions about services, comparative county offerings and potential ways to reduce fees. Dozens of residents spoke during public comment, raising affordability concerns, the effect on low-income and fixed-income households, the rise in contract costs for the private contractor FCC, and requests to explore different rate structures (for example, separate schedules for short-term rentals or occupancy-based fees).
Several residents asked about hardship programs and whether those would be maintained if the board adopted a rollback rate instead of the full proposed increase. Deputy County Attorney Kealey West explained the statutory notice language required for the hearing and that changing service levels under the current seven-year contract would require reopening contract negotiations.
Motion by Commissioner Whitehurst, seconded by Commissioner Clay Murphy, carried 5–0 to direct staff to include the proposed maximum assessment rates presented for FY2026 and future fiscal years in the Solid Waste Annual Assessment Resolution. The resolution with final adopted rates will be before the board at the first BCC meeting in September for final action.